By Tendai Kamhungira
Corruption, thievery and lies by government officials has destroyed the country and long-suffering Zimbabweans’ dreams for a better life, former vice president and opposition Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) leader, Joice Mujuru, said.
Mujuru’s remarks, made at the burial of her top aide, retired colonel Kudzai Mbudzi, in Masvingo on Tuesday, come amid an exposition of gross corruption by senior government officials.
“Zvauraya nyika ino kunyepa, kuba, corruption, zvese… (This country has been destroyed by lies, fraud, and corruption),” she said.
Adding that as ZPF, they want the truth to be laid bare.
Currently, Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo and his deputy Godfrey Gandawa are being accused of fraud, money laundering and criminal abuse of office following allegations that they abused over $400 000 from the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund (Zimdef) — a State institution.
Mujuru has since called for the sacking of the two.
“ . . . Mugabe must take measures as the president that should expose, combat and eradicate all forms of corruption and abuse of power by those holding political and public offices. That alone will demonstrate his sincerity to fight and curb corruption,” she said.
Mujuru said they were gradually working towards a coalition as opposition parties.
“Saka isu semapolitical parties muchaona kuti tichazonzwanana nekuti zvatiri kuda zvakafanana. Mashoko mashoma chete, zvatiri kungoda kuti tingogadzirisa, vamwe vanga vachinzi izvi hamuna, izvi hamuna, izvozvo kana tangogadzirisa chedu chimwechete (As political parties, we will find common ground because we are fighting for the same cause. There are only a few items that need to be put in place before we start working together),” she said.
Mujuru also said people must be allowed to choose any party of their choice.
“ . . . but you cannot assault me for choosing a different club, you cannot kill me for choosing a club of my choice,” she said.
She further said Zanu PF was greedy by chasing her out of the party and should stop being on her case.
“Regai vana veZimbabwe vari kutsvaga nzira yekurarama yakanaka…us as opposition parties tiri kuti vana veZimbabwe vari kuda chinhu chimwe chete chekugara zvakanaka, hatina basa nekuti uri chii, Zanu PF, wadii ah ah, iwewe don’t talk about us nekuti hatisi kutaura nezvako, rega vanhu veopposition vataure kuti isu tiri kuda kuita zvakanaka nekuti isu tiri kuti rudo ndochinhu chikuru, kubatana ndochinhu chikuru, kurongera vana veZimbabwe zvavari kuchema nazvo ndozvatiri kuda. (Zimbabweans are seeking to better their lives and as opposition political parties, we know Zimbabweans want a better life and that does not consider one’s political affiliation, let the opposition speak about the good things that they want to do because we preach love, unity and thrive to better the life of Zimbabweans),”she said. Daily News
