Mujuru loyalists chased away at Mnangagwa bash

SOME Zanu PF top officials and party activists believed to be sympathetic to beleaguered ex-Vice President Joice Mujuru were on Saturday denied entry at Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa's rural home in Zvishavane where he was holding a fête following his rise to the apex of the country's politics.

Party youths led by Gokwe-Kana MP Owen Ncube stood at the main entrance to the Mnangagwa homestead screening out all perceived Mujuru allies.

One of the biggest causalities was Zvishavane-Runde MP and Mines and Mining Development deputy minister Fred Moyo, who after being initially allowed in, was fished out and sent packing.

This came as Mujuru had shortly sent a congratulatory message to Mnangagwa wishing him the best in his new position.

"The Honourable Dr Joice Mujuru congratulates Cde ED Mnangagwa and Cde Report Phelekezela Mphoko on being appointed First and Second VPs respectively. I wish you all the best and success in your new positions," Mujuru said in a terse statement on Saturday.

Mujuru was relieved of her party and government positions last week on allegations of plotting to topple President Robert Mugabe.

She has, however, denied the charge, claiming her ouster was engineered by her detractors.

The celebration party at Mnangagwa's splashy and imposing rural home at Mapanzure village gave the poverty-stricken villagers a rare taste of life of grandeur and merry-making enjoyed by the ruling class in the country.

Mnangagwa slaughtered five cattle, several goats and innumerable chickens and dished out an assortment of beverages, including expensive whiskeys and promised them more bashes until year end.

The VP told guests that he would hold another bash at his Sherwood Block Farm some 14km outside Kwekwe and at Mugabe's rural home in Zvimba.

"There will be another party in Zvimba which will be attended by all politburo and central committee members. It will be to thank our President for the love.

The other will be in Kwekwe at my farm. This one will be over a number of days and there will be enough food and drink for everyone," Mnangagwa declared.

His fancy rural mansion seats on a mountain top overlooking several squalid pole and dagga homesteads - effectively separating him from the rest of the poor villagers in the tiny Mapanzure village in terms of financial and social status.

Speaking at the same function, Mnangagwa's eldest son, Emmerson Jnr said he wanted to surpass his father's political achievements and was targeting the President's post.

"I have always been taught to do better than my parents, but the standards which you have set for us dad (Emmerson) and mom (politburo member Auxilia) are high, but attainable," he said.

Emmerson Jnr recently launched his own political career after being elected into the Midlands provincial Zanu PF youth league executive.