News / National
Mutambara, used and set to be dumped
25 Apr 2011 at 12:32hrs | Views
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has finally given up on Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara and this might pave way for MDC leader Professot Welshman Ncube to assume the deputy premiership position.
Sources revealed that the Mugabe was reluctant as ever to let go of Mutambara, but a number of issues, including a witch- hunt following Zanu PF's loss in the vote for Speaker of Parliament, have added pressure on him to reconsider his position.
The robotics professor is expected to hand in his resignation in June and Standard reporter Nqaba Matshazi says insiders have revealed that Ncube's interest in the DPM post has become lukewarm since Mugabe declined to swear him in earlier this year.
Earlier during the year MDC donated Mutambara and the deputy prime ministerial position to Zanu PF and they say they are not interested in anything to do with that position and Mutambara.
Zanu PF strongmen are said to be angry that the decision to keep Mutambara seems to have made the two MDCs close ranks and unite against Zanu PF in the elections of the Speaker and in future.
Mugabe is also said to be trying to appease the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), which came hard on him at the troika summit in Zambia last month.
South African president, Jacob Zuma is said to have questioned Mugabe privately on why he was subverting the will of the MDC by keeping Mutambara in government, when it was clear that he had been disowned by his party and his legitimacy in government was questionable.
What gives credence to the June date is that Mutambara had initially asked to be in power until June when he expects to have completed his Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme.
Mugabe is also said to have remarked that he had been handicapped because on one hand he was dealing with Ncube and on the other hand he had to deal with Mutambara.
Sources revealed that the Mugabe was reluctant as ever to let go of Mutambara, but a number of issues, including a witch- hunt following Zanu PF's loss in the vote for Speaker of Parliament, have added pressure on him to reconsider his position.
The robotics professor is expected to hand in his resignation in June and Standard reporter Nqaba Matshazi says insiders have revealed that Ncube's interest in the DPM post has become lukewarm since Mugabe declined to swear him in earlier this year.
Earlier during the year MDC donated Mutambara and the deputy prime ministerial position to Zanu PF and they say they are not interested in anything to do with that position and Mutambara.
Zanu PF strongmen are said to be angry that the decision to keep Mutambara seems to have made the two MDCs close ranks and unite against Zanu PF in the elections of the Speaker and in future.
Mugabe is also said to be trying to appease the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), which came hard on him at the troika summit in Zambia last month.
South African president, Jacob Zuma is said to have questioned Mugabe privately on why he was subverting the will of the MDC by keeping Mutambara in government, when it was clear that he had been disowned by his party and his legitimacy in government was questionable.
What gives credence to the June date is that Mutambara had initially asked to be in power until June when he expects to have completed his Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme.
Mugabe is also said to have remarked that he had been handicapped because on one hand he was dealing with Ncube and on the other hand he had to deal with Mutambara.
Source - The Standard
