'How can I lead a faction, I am number 2 to Mugabe,' says Dr Mujuru

Vice President Joice Mujuru has said she belongs to and follows Zanu-PF led by President Mugabe and those promoting factionalism are juniors in the party and Government.

In an interview yesterday, VP Mujuru said people who were spreading rumours that she was leading a faction in the party were misinformed.

"I want to teach you one thing; Zimbabweans do not know party structures. They do not know Zanu-PF structures yet they are so clear.

"The Zanu-PF structure has the President as number one. He has two Vice Presidents of which I am still occupying the other office. How can I lead a faction when I am number two to the President?

"The President is my faction. The party is my faction and I can't fight anybody who is junior to me because I already have the position. That is the party structure.

"Those that do not hold positions are the ones maybe who want to lead factions. They want to push off those that have high positions. Why should I push the President? Where do I go? I am there and when the time for me to retire comes, I will retire.

"The factions could be led by those that do not hold senior positions in the party.

"I cannot push President Mugabe out. (When) he goes out of the country, I become Acting President. Why would I push him and where would I go? I am helping him," she said.

VP Mujuru advised other members who wanted to get top posts in the party and Government to wait for elections.

She said people would elect the leaders they wanted and people should be patient enough and wait for their turn.

There have been reports in some sections of the media that VP Mujuru and Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa want to succeed President Mugabe.

However, the two have since denied the allegations.