President Robert Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF has dismissed as a big joke, a party being crafted by former Vice President Joice Mujuru, saying it is unlikely to be a threat to the ruling party that has ruled Zimbabwe for more than 35 years.
Zanu PF’s Member of Parliament for Pelandaba-Mpopoma, Joseph Tshuma, told VOA Studio 7 that People First is a non-starter as the majority of Zimbabweans are Zanu PF supporters.
“People First … that’s the biggest joke of the year. Zanu PF has always been for the people. These people (People First) are just lost. They are just a bunch of confused people. I don’t think there is any reason of even talking about them,” said Tshuma.
He said the ruling party has over the years made some mistakes, which it should have used to correct some of the problems currently facing Zimbabwe.
Tshuma further said Zanu PF is currently trying to tackle the country’s economic woes, noting that top on the agenda is the taping of foreign direct investment.
FOREIGN INVESTORS
“I can tell you for a fact that investors are now jumping over the fence and cutting into the plate. I have actually seen German investors coming in as was an Airbus group just last week here and a high-powered Chinese delegation just came by looking at starting all those (mega business) deals (signed bby China and Zimbabwe some months ago),” he said.
His dismissed suggestions that members of People First are being threatened in Zimbabwe, noting that some bigger threats like Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change and Tendai Biti of the People’s Democratic Party are not being harmed by Zanu PF supporters or state security agents.
WHY IS ZANU PF ATTACKING MUJURU?
But People First interim spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo, said Zanu PF is scared of their organization as First Lady Grace Mugabe is always attacking Mrs. Mujuru even though she has not been talking about politics in Zimbabwe.
“We really don’t know why she is always attacking her. We assume that maybe it’s some kind of fear or jealous against her. But we don’t think it’s necessary for her to attack someone who has not done anything to her, to her family or to the president,” he said.
On the other hand, MDC-T deputy spokesperson Thabitha Khumalo said it’s unlikely that they will embrace some of the People First supporters in any coalition.
“All what we are saying is those that are pro-democracy and progressive members of society are welcome into our party but we don’t want people who are being used by Zanu PF in order to fulfill their ruthless ways of getting into power by destroying voices that are against what Zanu PF is saying.
‘BLOOD IN YOUR HANDS’
“So, we have no problem if you do not have blood in your hands and you are not coming to the MDC to destroy us. We have no problem but if you have blood in your hands to come and destroy the MDC, hell no, you are not welcome because Zimbabwean people are tired of this Zanu PF regime.”
Mrs. Mujuru was kicked out of Zanu PF after she was accused of allegedly trying to topple President Mugabe at the last Zanu PF congress. She has dismissed these allegations as wishful thinking.
