Grace Mugabe throws weight behind Mnangagwa?

FIRST Lady Grace Mugabe today threw her weight behind the party's Secretary for Legal Affairs, who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Emmerson Mnangagwa, saying he deserves a lot of respect, in what has been viewed as a plot to tip the party's strong man for the president post which is also being eyed by a rival faction led by Vice President Mujuru.

Addressing thousands of war veterans and collaborators at the Mazowe Children's Home today, Dr Mugabe urged Zanu-PF supporters to rally behind Mnangagwa because he had been 'gentleman' enough to pave way for his rival Mujuru despite the fact that he had been endorsed by 8 provinces during the party's 2004 congress.

"People should respect Mnangagwa, he was voted by 8 provinces to be VP, but he did the honourable thing and let Mai Mujuru take the post," she charged.

In her trademark attacks targeted to Mujuru and her faction she sensationally urged the her husband's deputy Mujuru to step down or risk being forcefully pushed out.

 "We request her to take heed of what has been said so that it will not be difficult for the President (to deal with her). We spoke of baby dumping because I said if the President does not dump you, we will do it ourselves. But we don't want to do that, she is one of us. If she asks for forgiveness we will forgive her," Grace was quoted by State broadcaster ZBC/TV online today.

Grace said she stood with Vice President Mujuru for a long time, but some of the activities Mujuru has engaged in are shocking.

She used the opportunity to market herself for the top post and undermining the President, said Dr Mugabe.

The First Lady has been on a campaign nationwide attacking leaders of factionalism in Zanu-PF. In her address in Mashonaland Central, she referred to the province (and its leadership which includes the Vice President) as the birthplace of factionalism.

She made similar remarks at another rally in Marondera where she openly attacked the party's provincial chairperson, Ray Kaukonde, as being part to factionalism.