Mliswa accused of inciting hatred, tribalism and violence

Zanu-PF United Kingdom chapter  has warned that former Hurungwe West MP Temba Mliswa's remarks condemning the rule by the Zezuru and calling people to come together to fight status qou as tribal slur, sparking hatred and violence among people.

Mliswa had said Zimbabweans must now act to end the ruinous stranglehold on power by the "corrupt" Zezuru tribe which has destroyed the country since taking over at independence in 1980, Temba Mliswa has charged.

Mliswa, who was fired from Zanu-PF for allegedly being part of a plot to illegally topple President Robert Mugabe, said the 91-year-old leader's tribe has had its chance to rule Zimbabwe and made a complete mess of the job.

"Let me say this for the first time; the next president of Zimbabwe will not be Zezuru. The Zezuru had their chance but failed," Mliswa told a press conference in Harare on Thursday.

"There is no Zezuru who will be in power any more. If you look at the history, Mugabe is Zezuru, Joseph Msika was Zezuru, and Mai Mujuru is Zezuru."

Tribalism has long been a key factor in Zimbabwean politics, especially in the ruling Zanu-PF party which is seen as dominated by Mugabe's Zezuru tribe.

The veteran leader has also, always, given regard to tribal balance in his cabinet and top party appointments while the bitter intra-party fights over his succession are also, to some extent, based on tribal origins.

Zanu-PF sources say the resistance vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa currently faces in his bid to take over from the 91-year-old Mugabe is partly down to the fact he is not Zezuru.

Mugabe is also said to have reservations over Mnangagwa because the latter's fellow Karangas unsuccessfully opposed his takeover as Zanu-PF leader during the liberation struggle.

Mliswa said the rise to prominent positions in Zanu-PF of the likes of Saviour Kasukuwere and Ignatius Chombo was part of a plot to ensure the Zezurus remain in charge of the ruling party and, hopefully the country, beyond Mugabe.

"We cannot be (ruled by) one tribe," he said.

"The majority of the people are not Zezuru. The Karangas, the Manyikas, the Ndebele, they all deserve their time.

"Harare is made up of many tribes. We have more people from Malawi in Harare than the Zezuru."

Zimbabwe, Mliswa insisted, was not liberated by Zezurus' alone.

"That one I tell you. Hebert Chitepo was key to the struggle for independence but was Manyika; Tongogara, from my home area Shurugwi was key; the same applies to Nikita Mangena," said the outspoken politician.

But Zanu-PF UK said such utterances from Mliswa incite hatred, tribalism and potentially can stir violence.

"Appointments should not be tribal based rather one's ability should inform that accession. Similarly election to office should not be decided on the basis of an individual's tribe but their ability to lead,design and implement policies that drives our nation forward in an upward spiral of inclusive growth," said the Chapter.

"It is not for him to decide where the next president will come from,that mandate strictly rests with the wider electorate,not one individual who so frequently clambers up the media pulpit to usher distorted pities of democracy!"

"As ZANU-PF UK we believe in principles of equal opportunity and fairness,but also a meteoric society that rewards hard work and innovation."