My Bob must go call was ignored: Mavhaire

Nobody supported me then … Dzikamai Mavhaire

He said as soon as he had uttered those words there was total silence in a Parliament which was dominated and controlled by ruling party MPs.

Mavhaire, who last year was fired from the ruling party on allegations of fanning factionalism and plotting to topple Mugabe, was addressing hundreds of Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) supporters at a rally on Saturday.

The former Politburo Member is famous for his ‘Mugabe must go’ words which he uttered in Parliament in 1997, shocking Zanu PF MPs. Then, it was almost a sin to express one’s deviant views within the ruling party.

Then Mugabe now (92) was only 73 years old.

Mavhaire is now in charge of mobilisation in the new political outfit, ZPF led by former vice president Joice Mujuru.

“When I said Mugabe must go, nobody supported me. Even imimi makanditairisa (including you who is looking at me) right now,” said Mavhaire pointing and waving his finger to hundreds of ZPF supporters who responded by laughing.

“But today we are gathered here many many years later chanting the same slogan that Mugabe must go. Had we supported each other, the man who is now a grandfather should have been resting in his rural home,” he said.

Mavhaire also took a swipe at First Lady Grace Mugabe.

“You have seen or heard of a woman (Grace) going right round the country as a chamupupuri (whirlwind) ranting at people, accusing people of various allegation and abusing ordinary people, please leave her alone only time will tell.”