Mugabe raps Zanu-PF Harare leadership

President Robert Mugabe has slammed some members of the Zanu-PF Harare provincial leadership for fanning divisions in the party and seeking to bar the First Lady's ascendancy to the Women's League top post.

The President said the province should instead concentrate on finding ways to win back the seats that were won by the opposition.

President Mugabe was thousands of Zanu-PF supporters who turned up to welcome him from a week long state visit to China at the Harare International Airport.

Recent episodes in the Zanu-PF party that tainted the youth conference and almost threatened the success of the Women's League conference have prompted the President and First Secretary of Zanu-PF to convene an urgent meeting to allow the party to discuss the bone of contention.

President Mugabe denounced the lack of unity being exhibited by some people in leadership positions who are expected to be role models, but are instead interfering with the running of the youth and women's wings.

He said recent happenings in Harare province are shameful and urged the provincial leadership in the province to concentrate on winning back the seats won by the opposition.

Zanu-PF managed to win six seats in Harare province in last year's elections out of 29 constituencies.

In the 2008 elections, Zanu-PF only managed to win one seat and Mugabe castigated the disorderly conduct of the Harare provincial leadership and implored them to work towards gaining more seats come next elections.

Amai Mugabe was overwhelmingly requested by the Women's League to lead them and her appointment is expected to be endorsed at the party's elective congress in December.

In Zanu-PF leaders are elected by the people and not individuals and those elevated to leadership positions should desist from using the people to advance their own selfish agendas, said Mugabe.

"We want the party to be strong and Harare, Harare, Harare is now popular for disunity," he said.

"Harare, Harare, Harare is our capital. It is the nation's capital, with the party headquarters. So those in Harare must work extra hard to reclaim the seats lost to the MDC," he said.

"So we can boast that in Harare, our capital, we have the roots of the party. But we can not have that as long as some claim that Harare belongs to them and they want others to get out of the capital city," he added.

He castigated reports that some Harare provincial leaders allegedly demanded that the First Lady be accommodated only in Mazoe and not in Harare.

"We do not want Harare to do that. We are all here in Harare as a united party. Harare does not belong to one person. I say this because I heard some even sent my nephew to advise Amai Mugabe to get out of Harare. Where will she go?"

The President promised to get to the bottom of the matter.

The party supporters who turned up to welcome the President and First Lady waved banners displaying various messages praising Mugabe's leadership qualities.

Some of the banners were written "VaMugabe Chete Chete", "Welcome Home Africa's Son", "Freedom Fighter and Liberator", "Death to Factionalism", "Pasi Nema Illegal Petitions and Suspensions" and "Let Them Feel Mazoe Crush" among others.

The supporters, who started arriving as early as 3am, where kept on their toes through song and dance by Chinx Chingaira as they waited for the President's arrival.