Mujuru fights back with statement

By Gift Phiri

HARARE – Embattled Vice President Joice Mujuru yesterday took the war to her Zanu PF and government detractors, rubbishing claims that she was plotting to assassinate President Robert Mugabe.

In a statement issued last night, the Mashonaland Central supremo took aim at the 90-year-old leader’s wife Grace — rejecting out of hand claims by the First Lady that she was “corrupt, inept, a factionalist and not worthy of being the government, and party number two”.

She also took on the State media, which she accused of running a campaign to discredit Zanu PF, senior State and senior party officials.

“I deny any and all the allegations of treason, corruption, incompetence and misuse of public office being routinely made against me in the Herald and Sunday Mail newspapers,” Mujuru said.

“I have briefed my legal practitioners to take necessary steps, at law, to restore my good reputation, political standing and dignity. I stand ready to defend myself before the party, and in any court of law on any of the allegations made against me, at any time, in accordance with the laws of Zimbabwe,” she added.

The statement came amid a brutal and sustained campaign — from her political enemies in the ruling party — that she was working on toppling Mugabe, extorting businesses and fostering factionalism.

And in her defence, the former combatant said she was alive to the “unconstitutional call for her resignation, removal from both party and public office on the spurious grounds that I am ‘corrupt’, ‘a gossiper’, ‘demonic’, ‘jealous and divisive’, ‘and unfit for consumption by flies, and dogs’,” and which remarks were aired out by Grace.

In the interest of Zanu PF protocol and partly her respect for Mugabe, she says she had refrained from issuing statements on this litany of allegations.

Mujuru, who faces serious legal sanctions if convicted of the various crimes she is accused of, said the attacks were part of a broader campaign to smear her. Daily News