No deal with traitor Mutsvangwa, Zhuwao

No modus vivendi with Mutsvangwa … Patrick Zhuwao

An emotionally charged Zhuwao attacked Mutsvangwa during a hurried 9-minute press conference at his government offices in Harare Monday.

The minister, President Robert Mugabe’s nephew, rejected Mutsvangwa’s claim that they had a ‘modus vivendi’ which means an agreement allowing conflicting parties to coexist peacefully.

Zhuwao is said to be part of the so-called G40 group which reportedly includes local government minister Saviour Kasukuwere and higher education minister Jonathan Moyo.

Mutsvangwa claimed that while he had no time for Moyo, he could agree to disagree with Kasukuwere and Zhuwao.

But Zhuwao begged to differ, saying he could not have a relationship with Mutsvangwa because the war veterans minister was cozy with the European Union (EU).

According Zhuwao, it is criminal in the ruling party to have close ties with the EU because the block maintains a travel ban on his uncle, President Mugabe and First Lady Grace.

The EU has since lifted most of its sanctions against Zimbabwe but maintains a travel ban against the Mugabes.

“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,” charged Zhuwao.

“The European Union has maintained sanctions on his Excellency, President Robert Mugabe, and the First Lady, Amai Dr Grace Mugabe, who are the embodiment of the sovereign state of Zimbabwe.

“For the record the EU’s position of his excellence President Robert Mugabe and the First Lady Grace Mugabe makes it completely unacceptable for any serious leader within Zanu PF to contemplate, let alone announce that they have cordial relations with the EU which continues to place the First Family on sanctions.

“This is totally deplorable. I can never reach accommodation with those that hobnob with such retrogressive forces.”

Mutsvangwa, who has been engaged in a war of words with Moyo, has a no confidence vote hanging over his head from his Mashonaland West province.

Zhuwao said the vote must be endorsed by the politburo and Mutsvangwa expelled from the ruling party.

“Chris Mutsvangwa was only recommended to be a member of the Zanu PF central committee after (the party’s) Mashonaland West province withdrew its recommendation for Webster Shamu,” said the youthful minister.

“In order to dispel any misinterpretation that may be propagated, I wish to emphasise that Chegutu district is home to several other war veterans who can quite easily replace Chris Mutsvangwa at the Zanu PF central committee.”

He added: “Chris Mutsvangwa is not a sacred cow.

“I say this in order to forestall any mischievous narrative that may seek to portray my position as a blanket position against war veterans.”

The empowerment minister said although Mugabe urged party members to respect the leadership elected at Zanu Pf’s 2014 congress, Mutsvangwa was an exception.

“That position (Mugabe’s) does not give cart blanche for all acts of treachery disloyalty,” he explained.

“His Excellency’s position can never, by any stretch of imagination, be misconstrued to condone the hobnobbing that Chris Mutsvangwa admitted to with the European Union which still maintains sanctions on the president and first secretary of Zanu PF who also the President and Head of State of Zimbabwe and the secretary for women’s affairs in Zanu PF and First Lady Amai venyika (Mother of the nation).”