News / National
'Mugabe's arrogance and refusal to leave is due to Grace,' says Tsvangirai
25 Jul 2013 at 10:43hrs | Views
Movement for Democratic Change leader Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday said President Robert Mugabe's "arrogance" and refusal to leave power was a result of his marriage to a much younger wife, who dictated the pace, forcing him to soldier on despite his advanced age.
Mugabe wedded his former secretary Grace, 40 years his junior, in 1996 at a lavish ceremony at his Zvimba village.
Addressing party supporters in Chikomba yesterday, Tsvangirai also said Mugabe confided in him that he was reluctant to leave power for fear of plunging his Zanu-PF party into chaos.
"Sadc told him to come up with a new constitution to build the economy and health, and that if these issues are addressed, we go for elections - but he is arrogant and you never know whether it is inborn or old age," Tsvangirai said.
"I asked him why he was not retiring yet he was falling asleep as he talks? He (Mugabe) said he wanted to rest, but the problem was if he left, Zanu-PF would be doomed and dead. The problem is that if you take a young wife she will be insisting and pushing you and you cannot resist that. That is the problem, but the important thing is that this time let us give him a pension."
While Tsvangirai spoke about the President's marriage, First Lady Grace told thousands of Zanu-PF supporters at a rally in Norton that Mugabe had directed Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo to order all local authorities to scrap utility bills debts accrued by residents since 2009.
Grace has emerged as one of Mugabe's main campaigners for next week's polls.
"(Mugabe) told Chombo to cancel all these debts after realising the extent to which people were suffering. We are using a currency that is not ours and is hard to come by, so this was the best solution considering our collective plight," Grace said.
Mugabe also told the party supporters that Zanu-PF members of his Cabinet were involved in "adulterous affairs" hence they should not chastise the Premier over his marital affairs. After losing his wife Susan in a road accident in 2009, Tsvangirai reportedly dated several women before settling for Elizabeth Macheka last year.
"Small houses, small houses (mistresses) - they have become a real menace. Even in Cabinet, I do have adulterous members and I then say to them if you are indulging in such activities, why mock Tsvangirai?" he told thousands of Zanu-PF supporters.
Mugabe wedded his former secretary Grace, 40 years his junior, in 1996 at a lavish ceremony at his Zvimba village.
Addressing party supporters in Chikomba yesterday, Tsvangirai also said Mugabe confided in him that he was reluctant to leave power for fear of plunging his Zanu-PF party into chaos.
"Sadc told him to come up with a new constitution to build the economy and health, and that if these issues are addressed, we go for elections - but he is arrogant and you never know whether it is inborn or old age," Tsvangirai said.
"I asked him why he was not retiring yet he was falling asleep as he talks? He (Mugabe) said he wanted to rest, but the problem was if he left, Zanu-PF would be doomed and dead. The problem is that if you take a young wife she will be insisting and pushing you and you cannot resist that. That is the problem, but the important thing is that this time let us give him a pension."
While Tsvangirai spoke about the President's marriage, First Lady Grace told thousands of Zanu-PF supporters at a rally in Norton that Mugabe had directed Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo to order all local authorities to scrap utility bills debts accrued by residents since 2009.
Grace has emerged as one of Mugabe's main campaigners for next week's polls.
"(Mugabe) told Chombo to cancel all these debts after realising the extent to which people were suffering. We are using a currency that is not ours and is hard to come by, so this was the best solution considering our collective plight," Grace said.
Mugabe also told the party supporters that Zanu-PF members of his Cabinet were involved in "adulterous affairs" hence they should not chastise the Premier over his marital affairs. After losing his wife Susan in a road accident in 2009, Tsvangirai reportedly dated several women before settling for Elizabeth Macheka last year.
"Small houses, small houses (mistresses) - they have become a real menace. Even in Cabinet, I do have adulterous members and I then say to them if you are indulging in such activities, why mock Tsvangirai?" he told thousands of Zanu-PF supporters.
Source - newsday
