Mugabe slams vote buying, 'Bhora Musango' syndrome

President Mugabe yesterday read the riot act against members of his party involved in bitter factional fighting that has ripped apart Zanu-PF as they jostle to succeed the 89-year-old veteran politician ahead of crucial elections later this year.

Mugabe called for unity in his Zanu-PF and slammed factionalism, vote-buying and the infamous 2008 "Bhora Musangano" syndrome that led to his party losing general elections the same year to the MDCs. , saying those fanning divisions had no place in the revolutionary party.

Mugabe said "Zvekurovera bhora musango hatidi iro ghedhi uchiriona. Unozoti mangwana unoiswa muteam iyoyo?...Aiwa tinoti ghedhi rako riri musango." (We will not tolerate anyone who kicks the ball off course…tomorrow you will not find a place in the same team…we will tell you that your place is in the wilderness)

Addressing mourners at the burial of Ambuya Matadzisei Tangwena in Tangwena Village in Nyanga yesterday, the President urged peaceful co-existence among supporters of different political parties.

It was time, said the President, for the party to organise itself and shun unnecessary divisions, some of which were a result of power struggles.

Turning to elections, Mugabe said Zimbabweans should embrace the peaceful environment that prevailed during the constitutional referendum.