News / National
'Mugabe promoting a culture of political dynasty,' says Biti
28 Jul 2014 at 08:29hrs | Views
MDC-T renewal faction leader Tendai Biti yesterday hit out at Zanu-PF for seeking to elevate President Robert Mugabe's wife, Grace, to head the party's women's league.
The Zanu-PF women's league last Friday said it was endorsing Grace to succeed Oppah Muchinguri as secretary-general, in what has been interpreted as Mugabe's attempts to elevate his wife into a top political office.
Biti told scores of MDC-T supporters in Mutare that Grace's elevation would not be good for the country as it promoted a culture of political dynasty.
"I read in the newspapers yesterday (Saturday) and I almost cried when I heard that Grace is taking over the women's league chair position in Zanu-PF from Oppah Muchinguri," he said.
"So they are allocating themselves positions within their family. It's now becoming a family affair that the husband will take this position, the wife that one and soon children too.
"This Zimbabwe does not belong to anyone. This is our country.
Grace gathered Zanu-PF women's league members at her Mazowe orphanage where the shock announcement was made.
She reportedly told them that MDC-T's loss to Zanu-PF in last year's election was punishment from God because Biti liked bragging.
Grace said Biti bragged during the swearing-in of the inclusive government that he was a Mr-know-it-all.
"Every appointee humbled themselves during swearing-in except for Biti who, when asked if he was equal to the task of being Finance minister, replied ‘l know everything'," Grace was quoted saying.
Analysts have said Grace's imminent entry into high-level Zanu-PF politics would add a new dimension to the intricate battle to succeed her 90-year-old husband who has been in power since independence in 1980.
If she accepts the post, Grace would walk in the footsteps of Mugabe's late wife Sally who became secretary-general of the Zanu-PF women's league in 1989.
Source - Southern Eye
