Joice will have scored points with the ever-growing number of independent women, when she said ‘a woman’s first husband should be education.’ Holding her party in the bucolic setting of Dotito – as opposed to a lavish Harare venue – was also a crafty PR move.
The independent press, which has developed something of a soft spot for Mujuru – ‘a perceived moderate’ – made sure to mention that the VP introduced her PhD supervisor, Professor Chanetsa. The whole point of Grace arranging her own doctorate was to one-up Joice. ‘Anything she can do, I can too.’ It would be interesting to see if the first lady can name her supervisor for that contentious ‘fast track’ PhD. It would be even more interesting to see if she will have the gall to throw a graduation party for a degree that even her own best friend – if she has one – knows to be a counterfeit.
Joice’s ploy of silence was vindicated, as launching a counter attack might have left her with fewer sympathisers. By her acerbic attacks on influential provincial chairpersons, Grace Mugabe and her backers may have further alienated themselves from the populace, whose vote will be the determining factor, come December.
The war veterans and the security forces have always played a critical role in the outcome of elections. Despite comparing Grace to Mother Teresa a few months back, leader of the war vets, Jabulani Sibanda has unequivocally refused to attend her rallies, labelling her speeches divisive.
The security forces – those medalled fellows who vowed to ‘never salute a president without liberation war credentials’ – have so far stayed out of the circus, save for Police Commissioner Chihuri who published a press statement vehemently denying rumours that ZRP backed Mujuru’s faction.
Post published in: Analysis