Mugabe too old for politics, says Chamisa

FORMER President Mr Robert Mugabe should not be seen anywhere near politics at his age, instead he should rest and concentrate on playing with his grandchildren if he is to earn everyone's respect, MDC-T president Advocate Nelson Chamisa has said.

Addressing an MDC Alliance rally in Kwekwe yesterday, Adv Chamisa said Mugabe deserves respect for what he achieved during his tenure as President but his latest links to the newly formed NPF party were denting his achievements.

"We respect him especially for his (Mugabe) achievements in the education sector leaving Zimbabweans rated among the best educated not in Africa but in the world. But I was shocked to hear that he is planning on a comeback via the newly-formed NPF, my advice to him is you should rest old man, you are too old for the game," said Adv Chamisa.

Adv Chamisa's sentiments comes at a time when the former President is linked to NPF a project believed to be spearheaded by his wife Grace and other G40 members. Mr Mugabe is said to be calling the shorts and is believed to have "anointed" Retired Brigadier-General Ambrose Mutinhiri to lead the newly formed party. Adv Chamisa said Mr Mugabe should avoid being embarrassed by a return to politics and urged him to vote for the MDC Alliance.

"Respect is earned, and if he wants people of Zimbabwe to continue respecting him, he should relax at home and enjoy peacefully. Even if we were to be elected into office, we also would respect him, but if he continues like this no one will sympathise with him," he said.

Adv Chamisa also extended an olive branch to former Vice-President Joice Mujuru who also leads another alliance, saying if the opposition is to win the upcoming elections, they needed to work together.

"We are hoping that Mujuru will smell the coffee one day and join the winning team, the MDC Alliance because what we are fighting needs a united opposition. No sole political party can win the game against Zanu-PF," he said.

Adv Chamisa also said he was losing patience with MDC-T vice-president Dr Thokozani Khupe who seems determined to lead a breakaway faction following a heated leadership wrangle following the death of MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai.

"I have tried to knock some sense into her (Khupe's) head, but I think I am slowly losing patience. There will come a time when I will say enough is enough, if she wants to compete on her own, that will be it. But the time for her to join the winning team is now," he said.