By Mugove Tafirenyika
HARARE – President Robert Mugabe’s nephew Patrick Zhuwao yesterday savaged War Veterans minister Christopher Mutsvangwa, saying he does not associate with “treacherous” officials.
In a hard-hitting statement at his office in the capital yesterday, Zhuwao who is also Indigenisation minister, accused Mutsvangwa of creating an impression that they were in agreement on war veterans’ threats to bar Information minister Jonathan Moyo from attending tomorrow’s politburo meeting.
This comes after Mutsvangwa last week chaired a meeting of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) which resolved to bar Moyo from attending the forthcoming party politburo meetings.
In an interesting turn of events in Bulawayo last week, Mutsvangwa claimed that despite his differences with the G40, he had a “modus vivendi” with Kasukuwere and Zhuwao, saying he was “impressed” with their “youthful zeal and energy”.
But Zhuwao rubbished him yesterday, saying it was inconceivable that he could be in agreement with “treacherous” Mutsvangwa “in light of his stated cordial relationship with the EU which has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe and the First Family”.
“I wish to correct an impression created by Chris Mutsvangwa wherein he indicated he has a modus vivendi with Kasukuwere and Zhuwao.
“A modus vivendi is an accommodation where parties agree to disagree,” Zhuwao said.
“I wish to state that I have not agreed to disagree with Chris Mutsvangwa, especially in light of his stated cordial relationship with the EU which has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe and still maintains them.
“In particular, I can never accept a situation in which any state, entity or grouping disregards and tramples on the democratic expression of the sovereign people of Zimbabwe.
“The EU has maintained sanctions on His Excellency President Robert Gabriel Mugabe and the First Lady Amai Dr Grace Mugabe who are the embodiment of the sovereign state of Zimbabwe.
“It is therefore inconceivable that I have a modus vivendi with Chris Mutsvangwa because of his cordial relations with the EU.”
Zhuwao said it was “unacceptable” for a Zanu PF leader to contemplate cordial relations with “retrogressive forces”.
Flanked by the Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairperson Ephraim Chengeta and his deputy Keith Guzah, Zhuwao further stated that he was in agreement with the position taken by the province to have Mutsvangwa expelled from the party.
“In order to dispel any potential misinterpretation that may be propagated, I wish to emphasise that Chegutu district is home to several other war veterans that can quite easily replace him at the Zanu PF central committee. Mutsvangwa is not a sacred cow.” Daily News
