'Even marriages do fail' president Mugabe says

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has hit out at war veterans' leader Jabulani Sibanda, whom he accused of being possessed by the devil for opposing First Lady Grace Mugabe's ascension to the Zanu PF women's league top.

Mugabe said he had heard that Sibanda was allegedly stopping buses from transporting Zanu PF supporters to the Zanu PF headquarters, where a massive demonstration was held against Vice-President Joice Mujuru.

"Jabulani speaks like he is possessed by the devil," he said.

"We hear that Jabulani Sibanda stopped some buses from coming . . . is Jabulani now ruling the country?"

Seemingly turning to the Mujuru issue, Mugabe subtly hinted that if they did not want her, they should vote her out at the party's congress in December.

"Even marriages do fail," he said.

"You cannot just say to your wife, leave my place today. The matter is first taken to her parents.

"Do not vote for those who you do not want."

The crowd kept chanting Mujuru's name, but the president subtly skirted the issue.

Mugabe questioned why there were people opposing Grace's rise to the women's league's top post, considering that Sally, the president's first wife held the position.

"If the women's league could accept the president's first wife, why would they not do the same for this one," he said.

"There is nowhere in the Zanu PF constitution where it is said the president's wife cannot contest for positions, why are others pained?"