Rivals scoff at Mugabe’s tribalism ‘lies’

Mugabe is a liar … PDP’s Gorden Moyo

He was addressing thousands of party supporters bussed to Harare for the so-called Million Man march which was organised by the Zanu PF youth wing in support of his leadership.

Mugabe, whose government has been accused of political favouritism, also said land and food hand-outs should not be denied to his opponents.

The veteran leader, who mixed English and Shona, said Zimbabweans must stand united as families and as a nation.

“The family must be united. The families within our villages must work together in harmony, they must work united,” Mugabe said.

“Our regions must be united. The various tribal groups there must be united.”

President Mugabe said the government must work for the people as a whole without any segregation.

“The unity of our people, that there shall not be a person who will say because we are Zezurus, because we are Manyikas, because we are Karangas, because we are Ndebeles, we must be treated differently, No, all of us are the same.

“We have the Vendas amongst us, Tongas amongst us, we have Karangas amongst us. So no tribe should boast of superiority over another. Hapana izvozvo, tinoti pasi nazvo (There is nothing like that. We say down with it).

But his comments were dismissed as an act of hypocrisy by People’s Democratic Party secretary general Gorden Moyo.

“Mugabe is a master of deception. He sings hallelujah to all tribes in public but in public he shouts crucify all of them except for Zezurus,” Moyo said.

President Mugabe came under fire last year when he said Kalangas were responsible for violent crimes in South Africa.

PDP leader Tendai Biti has often accused Mugabe, a Zezuru, of “Zezurunising the state” after he has been seen favouring members of his tribe.

Equally, the Ndebeles have accused Mugabe of dividing the country along tribal lines and distributing the country’s resources unequally.

Mugabe has found it difficult to penetrate the predominantly Ndebele Matabeleland region which has stood by the opposition.

The Ndaus from the country’s north-eastern region have also rejected the cunning leader.

In his address, President Mugabe also said all Zimbabweans, regardless of political affiliations, were entitled to land and food handouts.

“No one should be denied even a plot or a stand to build,” he said.

“When I say there is no one, I mean every one of us. There should be no discrimination whether MDC or what. Everyone has to have a place to live.”

But Moyo described Mugabe’s comments as double speak.

“It was a coded speech to the chiefs and government departments to ensure that food is reserved for the chosen occultic father of all power in Zimbabwe. He lies with his lips as he sleeps while standing.”