News / National
Mujuru flexes muscles
24 Jan 2014 at 13:29hrs | Views
Acting President Joice Mujuru flexed her muscles on Wednesday after convening a special meeting for provincial ministers where she cracked the whip on errant government officials.
In the past, some provincial ministers opposed to Mujuru have snubbed the meeting. But yesterday only one minister, Abednico Ncube, minister of State for Matabeleland South, who was not feeling well, did not turn up.
Well-placed sources said the meeting, convened at the Zanu-PF headquarters, lasted for more than 12 hours.
"She demonstrated that she is the person in charge," said a source.
"People who usually are scornful whenever the VP calls for a meeting were in attendance at the meeting that started at around 8 am and ended after midnight."
At the meeting, Mujuru ordered State ministers for Provincial Affairs to represent the presidency in the provinces instead of spending time pursuing selfish goals.
"She said it was time that ministers start enunciating the government economic blueprint ZimAsset and also engage the grassroots as representatives of President (Robert) Mugabe," said a source.
She also declared a zero tolerance on corruption and ordered provincial ministers to hold regular meetings with the provincial Joint Operations Command (JOC).
The meeting was held at the instigation of Mugabe.
"Amai vari kutonga, there is no doubt about that," said the source.
"Everyone was complaint. Anyone who would have snubbed the meeting would have provoked the president."
Josaya Hungwe, State minister for Liaising on Psychomotor Activities in Education and Vocational Training and a well-known loyalist of Emmerson Mnangagwa, was also in attendance.
Mujuru's opponents however, say the fact that the meeting was only attended by State ministers who do not sit in Cabinet shows that the vice president does not have real political power.
"It is only the President (Mugabe) who convenes Cabinet and not Mujuru, therefore she has no power at all," said another source.
Since Mugabe went on leave last year, cabinet has not met.
In the past, some provincial ministers opposed to Mujuru have snubbed the meeting. But yesterday only one minister, Abednico Ncube, minister of State for Matabeleland South, who was not feeling well, did not turn up.
Well-placed sources said the meeting, convened at the Zanu-PF headquarters, lasted for more than 12 hours.
"She demonstrated that she is the person in charge," said a source.
"People who usually are scornful whenever the VP calls for a meeting were in attendance at the meeting that started at around 8 am and ended after midnight."
At the meeting, Mujuru ordered State ministers for Provincial Affairs to represent the presidency in the provinces instead of spending time pursuing selfish goals.
"She said it was time that ministers start enunciating the government economic blueprint ZimAsset and also engage the grassroots as representatives of President (Robert) Mugabe," said a source.
She also declared a zero tolerance on corruption and ordered provincial ministers to hold regular meetings with the provincial Joint Operations Command (JOC).
The meeting was held at the instigation of Mugabe.
"Amai vari kutonga, there is no doubt about that," said the source.
"Everyone was complaint. Anyone who would have snubbed the meeting would have provoked the president."
Josaya Hungwe, State minister for Liaising on Psychomotor Activities in Education and Vocational Training and a well-known loyalist of Emmerson Mnangagwa, was also in attendance.
Mujuru's opponents however, say the fact that the meeting was only attended by State ministers who do not sit in Cabinet shows that the vice president does not have real political power.
"It is only the President (Mugabe) who convenes Cabinet and not Mujuru, therefore she has no power at all," said another source.
Since Mugabe went on leave last year, cabinet has not met.
Source - dailynews
