EX-PM’ stay at govt house legitimate-Gutu

MDC-T National spokesperson Obert Gutu has said Morgan Tsvangirai’s stay at the government mansion is “absolutely legitimate and above board”.

He said the ex-premier was entitled to stay at the Highlands house.

Gutu’s remarks come after Zanu PF National Political Commissar and Local Government minister, Saviour Kasukuwere, attacked the MDC-T leader for his continued stay at the Harare house, saying he was “squatting on government property”.

Kasukuwere was addressing home seekers at Chirovakamwe Primary School in Mutare’s Dangamvura high density suburb on Friday.

“MDC-T is party of lodgers as evidenced by their leader Morgan Tsvangirai who is squatting in government property. He should come and get land to build his own house. As Zanu PF we will continue to give out residential stands to people. We don’t care what the likes of Gutu will say,” said Kasukuwere.

But Gutu said Kasukuwere was talking “nonsense” as Tsvangirai’s stay was “legitimate and above board”.

“He was talking nonsense. To start with, President Morgan Tsvangirai is lawfully entitled to remain in occupation of the house in Highlands. He is the former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and his stay in that house is absolutely legitimate and above board,” said Gutu.

The MDC-T spokesperson said allocation of residential stands is not the responsibility of the minister but of a duly elected urban council.

“This is the constitutional responsibility of the duly elected urban council. Kasukuwere is hell bent on unlawfully usurping the functions of MDC elected councilors. We will not allow him to have his cake and eat it. We will match him pound for pound. We are not afraid of him,” said Gutu.

He added that despite Kasukuwere rubbishing their demonstration as attention seeking, MDC-T will proceed with their planned countrywide marches. He said the MDC-T is the largest and most popular party in the country.

“The Zanu PF regime is insipidly corrupt and politically decadent. This regime has caused the pauperization of millions of Zimbabweans. The only viable solution to Zimbabwe’s myriad political and socio-economic challenges is to remove the Zanu PF dictatorship. That’s the bottom line,” said Gutu.