News / National
Mujuru's second public appearance postponed, sympathisers smell a rat
28 Oct 2014 at 06:03hrs | Views
THE reburial of 79 human remains found in a disused mine shaft in Old Mutare, where Vice President Joice Mujuru was billed to officiate, had been cancelled at the last minute.
Mujuru's sympathisers yesterday said they smelt a rat over the last minute cancellation of the function, saying it was a ploy to deny her an opportunity to respond to Grace's stinging allegations.
"The reburial has been postponed due to logistical reasons to a new date that will be advised," Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi told the State media.
This was due to be Mujuru's second public appearance.
Last Saturday, she told Zanu-PF supporters at her graduation party in Dotito that she was a victim of political persecution, adding that it was unfair for her detractors to label her a "sellout", given the immense sacrifices she made to liberate the country during the armed struggle.
Although Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Christopher Mushohwe and Zanu-PF provincial chairman John Mvundura could not be reached for comment, some senior party officials said they suspected the postponement of the programme was part of a plot to block Mujuru from addressing the public until after the Zanu-PF elective congress in December.
"This is just the work of her detractors," a Zanu-PF central committee member, who requested anonymity, said.
"How can a programme be announced and the whole Vice-President of a country be invited, only to be told the Home Affairs ministry has issues."
Another Mujuru ally who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "They said it's a security issue because we understand there could be people hired to disrupt the proceedings.
"What's happening in Zanu-PF now is unpredictable, but it's also clear that she was going to steal the limelight.
"However, what people do not realise is that there are cultural implications in all this because the Matumba community is made to keep those (fallen fighters') remains for a long time. Culturally, it is improper."
Mujuru's spokesperson Sylvester Nguni could also not be reached for comment as he was reportedly attending a funeral in Mhondoro.
Mujuru's sympathisers yesterday said they smelt a rat over the last minute cancellation of the function, saying it was a ploy to deny her an opportunity to respond to Grace's stinging allegations.
"The reburial has been postponed due to logistical reasons to a new date that will be advised," Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi told the State media.
This was due to be Mujuru's second public appearance.
Last Saturday, she told Zanu-PF supporters at her graduation party in Dotito that she was a victim of political persecution, adding that it was unfair for her detractors to label her a "sellout", given the immense sacrifices she made to liberate the country during the armed struggle.
Although Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Christopher Mushohwe and Zanu-PF provincial chairman John Mvundura could not be reached for comment, some senior party officials said they suspected the postponement of the programme was part of a plot to block Mujuru from addressing the public until after the Zanu-PF elective congress in December.
"How can a programme be announced and the whole Vice-President of a country be invited, only to be told the Home Affairs ministry has issues."
Another Mujuru ally who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said: "They said it's a security issue because we understand there could be people hired to disrupt the proceedings.
"What's happening in Zanu-PF now is unpredictable, but it's also clear that she was going to steal the limelight.
"However, what people do not realise is that there are cultural implications in all this because the Matumba community is made to keep those (fallen fighters') remains for a long time. Culturally, it is improper."
Mujuru's spokesperson Sylvester Nguni could also not be reached for comment as he was reportedly attending a funeral in Mhondoro.
Source - Southern Eye
