Ousted Gumbo Says Mugabe Dumped Most War Vets, Now Surrounded by 'Mafikizolos'

  • Gibbs Dube

President Robert Mugabe with his two deputies, Phelekezela Mphoko (L) and Emmerson Mnangagwa (R). Collage by Ntungamili Nkomo

Ousted Zanu PF spokesman, Rugare Gumbo, says President Robert Mugabe has surrounded himself with what he calls useless people who never participated in the war of liberation of the 1970s who are now tearing the party.

Gumbo told Studio 7 in an interview that indications are that Mr. Mugabe, who has been in power since independence from British rule in 1980, fears war veterans.

According to the veteran politician, it is a pity that the president is not realizing that almost all the people occupying top posts in the party have no traceable war history.

Zanu PF spokesman Simon Khaya Moyo did not respond to calls on his mobile phone.

Gumbo and some of his colleauges, including deposed Vice President Joice Mujuru, were dumped by the party ahead of last year’s Zanu PF elective congress, which resulted in the elevation of Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko to vice presidential positions.

The Mujuru group, which was accused of allegedly trying to unseat President Mugabe using unconstitutional ways, has dismissed these allegations and threatened to take the matter to court.

The president recently said Zanu PF matters cannot be taken to the courts in Zimbabwe. Responding to these remarks, Gumbo said Mr. Mugabe is being misled by Mnangagwa and his colleagues.

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Interview With Rugare Gumbo on Mugabe Rule