Grace ill-informed about Zapu - Callistus Ndlovu

BRUISED Zanu PF Bulawayo provincial chairperson Callistus Ndlovu says the First Lady's scathing attacks on Zanu PF Matabeleland leaders was misplaced as a result of her ignorance about the history of PF Zapu and Zanu PF.

In his first remarks following the public rebuke from Grace, Ndlovu said the problem with Grace's rebuke was that she failed to take into historical consideration that Zapu and Zanu were once different parties and this could explain why there seemed to be factionalism in Bulawayo.

"There is a fault line between the two parties," he said, acknowledging the Unity Accord was being undermined by these historical divisions.

"There are two camps within Zanu PF, there are those who call themselves 'old Zanu PF' and there are former Zapu who are fighting for positioning," Ndlovu was quoted by a local daily as saying.

Ndlovu further said Grace's remarks showed that she was unaware of the history of Zanu PF and Zapu, leading to her ill-informed rant.

During her meet the people in Bulawayo recently Mugabe humiliated Ndlovu and branded him a liar for saying there was no factionalism in Bulawayo.

The First Lady shot back saying the mere fact that five top former Zapu members from Matabeleland are vying for the vice-presidency at the December elective congress was an indicator that "factionalism was rampant in the province."