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Tsvangirai is a "little Chiluba" with a long way to go in politics says Dabengwa
22 Jul 2012 at 05:34hrs | Views
Dumiso Dabengwa, the leader of Zapu has described the Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai as a "little Chiluba" with still a long way to go in politics.
He said if President Mugabe calls him for a meeting, he would oblige, while dismissing PM Tsvangirai as a good trade unionist who is not capable as a politician.
In an interview last Wednesday, Dabengwa said: "Mugabe is my elder. He was my leader from the time of the NDP. I have got all the respect for him.
"I have worked under him in Government, in the party and, if he called me for any discussion, I would certainly oblige."
When he was asked about his views of PM Tsvangirai, Dabengwa said: "I don't like talking about other leaders. I had the privilege of meeting him (PM Tsvangirai) after the 2008 elections and I wanted to congratulate him on his effort and amongst other things he accused me of having done was that I frustrated his victory.
"I was very frank with him and said 'Tsvangirai, I know you as a trade unionist and I will not argue about your capability as a trade union leader, but as a politician, I think you have a long way to go.
"This is why I said I would not want to support a situation where we would have a Chiluba coming into the government of this country. I said those words to him."
Asked to explain whether he was equating PM Tsvangirai to former Zambian leader Frederick Chiluba, Dabengwa did not mince his words:
"Chiluba was a trade union leader, so was Tsvangirai. All I was saying was yes, you might be capable and suitable as a trade union leader, but certainly you are not as capable on the political arena. Look at what Chiluba did, and that's all I was saying."
The former Zambian leader was accused of running down that country's economy through corruption. He even appeared in court facing corruption charges.
Dabengwa said he was not in a position to serve under a Tsvangirai administration, adding: "I have been a government minister for 10 years and for me that's enough.
"I think I have made my contribution in the country, both during the liberation struggle and after, and any other contributions I would have to make I would have to consider very carefully, but I don't want to be recycled."
He said if President Mugabe calls him for a meeting, he would oblige, while dismissing PM Tsvangirai as a good trade unionist who is not capable as a politician.
In an interview last Wednesday, Dabengwa said: "Mugabe is my elder. He was my leader from the time of the NDP. I have got all the respect for him.
"I have worked under him in Government, in the party and, if he called me for any discussion, I would certainly oblige."
When he was asked about his views of PM Tsvangirai, Dabengwa said: "I don't like talking about other leaders. I had the privilege of meeting him (PM Tsvangirai) after the 2008 elections and I wanted to congratulate him on his effort and amongst other things he accused me of having done was that I frustrated his victory.
"This is why I said I would not want to support a situation where we would have a Chiluba coming into the government of this country. I said those words to him."
Asked to explain whether he was equating PM Tsvangirai to former Zambian leader Frederick Chiluba, Dabengwa did not mince his words:
"Chiluba was a trade union leader, so was Tsvangirai. All I was saying was yes, you might be capable and suitable as a trade union leader, but certainly you are not as capable on the political arena. Look at what Chiluba did, and that's all I was saying."
The former Zambian leader was accused of running down that country's economy through corruption. He even appeared in court facing corruption charges.
Dabengwa said he was not in a position to serve under a Tsvangirai administration, adding: "I have been a government minister for 10 years and for me that's enough.
"I think I have made my contribution in the country, both during the liberation struggle and after, and any other contributions I would have to make I would have to consider very carefully, but I don't want to be recycled."
Source - Sunday News
