Was Mugabe's speech swapped?

FIRST Lady Grace Mugabe has reportedly demanded a massive clean-up in President Robert Mugabe's office, as the fallout over his wrong speech of last Tuesday boils over.

Insiders privy to the goings-on told NewsDay that the day before the opening of Parliament, Mugabe "went through the correct speech" as is tradition, "made the necessary adjustments" and was left satisfied that all was in order for the official opening of Parliament.

"The President is convinced his speech was swapped at Parliament Building. Now senior military officials are convinced that government and party officials were behind the speech fiasco, working in cahoots with supporters of former Vice-President Joice Mujuru, who are still ensconced within the Office of the President. The idea was to not only embarrass the President, but show the world that he is not only old, but also incapable of presiding over the affairs of the State," the source said.

Mugabe is said to have started implementing changes in his office ahead of the burial of national hero, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu at the weekend, a development that saw his spokesperson Charamba hand-deliver his speech at the national shrine.

Traditionally, Mugabe's speeches are signed off by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda, Innocent Tizora (director State residences) and the principal Press officer identified as Gwatiringa before he reads them out.

But following last week's incident, Gwatiringa has been sidelined, with suggestions he had been fired, and the expected changes could result in the re-assignment of senior officials among then Deputy Chief Secretaries Christian Katsande, Ray Ndhlukula and Justin Mupamhanga in addition to Chief of Protocol Munyaradzi Kajese.