'Zimbabwe is going to be the next Somalia'

IN 2014, the self-exiled Paul Siwela, leader of the secessionist Mthwakazi Liberation Organisation (MLO), said chaos will mark President Robert Mugabe's departure, adding that events in Zanu PF point to a troubled future for the country.

Siwela said Zimbabwe could easily become like troubled war-torn Somalia, judging from the nasty power fights in Zanu PF that have seen Vice-President Joice Mujuru and several ministers facing the boot.

"Unfortunately Zimbabwe is going to be the second Somalia," he warned.

"Mugabe's departure shall be marked by bloodshed, little wonder why, as MLO, we said Matabeleland would come by 2018 and many dismissed us because they did not understand us.

"The truth is Mugabe's departure shall be marked by terrible turbulence that would leave blood on the floor."

Siwela said the present chaos in Zanu PF was a God-send, as the party was at its weakest and would never be strong again, this gifting a chance to fulfil the objectives of his organisation.

"We look forward to negotiate our terms of independence with a weaker leader from Zanu PF," he said.

Siwela said while Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa looks to be Mugabe's likely successor, Grace might eventually take over the reins.

"The next move after the congress is to lay the ground for two major events in the following order, beginning with the crushing of Emmerson Mnangagwa's faction followed by having a totally Mugabe loyal and compliant Zanu PF that would demand Grace Mugabe to succeed Robert Mugabe," he projected.

"Mugabe has always claimed that you put people first and that the leadership would come from the people and therefore Grace will appear to have been selected and endorsed by the people."