Mugabe is a mature leader says Enos Nkala

PRESIDENT Mugabe last week met the former Minister of Home Affairs and Defence Enos Nkala in Bulawayo, in what observers say could be a sign that the former Zanu-PF stalwart was contemplating rejoining the party that he helped to found.

The closed-door meeting that lasted for about 45 minutes, was held at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport VIP Lounge.



Emerging from the meeting, Nkala told journalists that President Mugabe was his best friend. He said they discussed a lot of issues and reminisced about their past life dating back to the days of the liberation struggle.

He said the meeting was meant to strengthen their friendship and to provide an opportunity for the two nationalists to deliberate on issues happening in the country.

"The time has gone but I am shocked he (President Mugabe) is still fit and strong like that. The meeting was meant to revive and renew our friendship. You know when I left the Government and the party ngaba nguNkala nje ozihlaleleyo. We grew up together and we were best friends," said Nkala.

"We formed Zanu together and we saw it growing. We went to the elections and won.

"I had a stint as the Minister of Finance and established the Ministry of National Supplies, I became the Minister of Home Affairs and Defence. Then there was the so-called car scandal and I got so upset. I retired from politics and became myself up to date."

Nkala said his past with President Mugabe was full of happy moments adding it had always been their desire to meet regularly as friends.

"We were reminiscing our friendship days.

"Our past is full of happy events. We have always desired that from time to time we meet and chat about our life.

"He was even there at my wedding. I cannot say he has made mistakes. So we are still good friends. He had intended to come to my home but failed because of his busy schedule," said Nkala.

He shared the same sentiments with President Mugabe that although the country was under siege from the Western powers who have imposed sanctions, Zimbabwe was poised for growth.

He said he has realised that President Mugabe was a mature leader who knew how to relate with different people and handle difficult situations.

Nkala said the Head of State and Government and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces expressed concern as to why he left the party despite being one of the founder members.

"Zanu is my baby. It was born in my house. I authored it and guided it to where it is today.

"He asked me why I chose to abandon the party that I fathered. We always meet and share these happy moments. It is me sometimes who makes provocative statements but I have realised that he is more mature than me," said Nkala.

"I think he desires that before the two of us leave this world we would meet again. I do not know whether it was arrogance or what but I dropped all and said to hell with it.

"There is a kind of renewed relation between us but I will not say much now lest I raise some controversies."

The President was coming from Gwanda where he had launched the Community Share Ownership Scheme.

Nkala was the first Minister of Finance at the attainment of Independence.

He then held different portfolios such as that of Home Affairs, Defence and National Supplies.

He left the Government in the late 1980s on allegations that he had benefited from a car scandal, which became known as Willowgate.

Nkala and other senior Government officials then resigned from the Government after testifying in the Sandura Commission.

After leaving Government, Nkala announced that he had turned to God.