Jonathan Moyo blasts Dabengwa over VP Mphoko

In an interview with the Sunday Mail this weekend, Government spokesperson Professor Jonathan Moyo, who is the Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister said Zapu leader Dr Dumiso Dabengwa's "immaturity in mishandling of  Mphoko's appointment as VP risks exposing him as being petty and jealous."

Moyo said: "I have already said that there can be no debate or doubt that VP Mphoko is a former Zipra leader with a distinguished service record in the liberation struggle."

"His appointment as VP is therefore well within the four corners of the Unity Accord."

"Government is as very clear about that as are the people of Zimbabwe in general and surviving members of former Zapu and Zipra in particular."

"Otherwise, and to be frank with you, many Zimbabweans who have had respect and sympathy for Dumiso Dabengwa, and I consider myself among these, are very disappointed about his manifestly reckless response to VP Mphoko's appointment."

"It is most unfortunate that a stalwart of our liberation struggle, more so one of Dabengwa's historic stature, has chosen to come out sounding very trivial and immature."

"The record will show that VP Mphoko acknowledges and respects Dabengwa's contribution not only to our country's liberation as a Zipra commander under whom VP Mphoko served, but also acknowledges and respects Dabengwa's contribution to the Unity Accord that we are commemorating tomorrow."

"What VP Mphoko has queried is Dabengwa's current political position from which he has found it fit to work with political elements whose political project is opposed to the values, ideals and objectives of the liberation struggle that Dabengwa himself fought for so well along with his Zipra and Zanla comrades."

"VP Mphoko finds it difficult to understand how and why Dabengwa, his acknowledged and respected heroic Zipra commander, apparently has no qualms to abuse the names of Zapu and Zipra to justify working with sell-outs today."

"This is a challenge that Cde Dabengwa must take seriously without resorting to insults that make him sound so immature for someone with his liberation credentials."

"Dabengwa's immaturity in his mishandling of this matter risks exposing him as being petty and jealous about a former subordinate in the liberation struggle who is today holding an important position of national responsibility."

"Pettiness and jealousy are the stuff of counter-revolutionaries and quislings and there are many comrades who would not like to see Dabengwa continuing in that category."

"Ultimately, Dabengwa and others from the Matabeleland region that think like him must understand that, in terms of the Unity Accord, the VP appointment drawn from the former Zapu is not a personal, partisan, tribal or regional position but a national assignment."

"Matabeleland has been regionalised and tribalised for too long by politicians who have not done anything for the region beyond working for their own personal benefit."

"The time has come for Matabeleland to become national in both its character and content."

"VP Mphoko brings that promise in a very refreshing way."

"As such, he does not need to be pulled down but to be supported by everyone - beginning with the people in Matabeleland."

"As VP Mphoko's former commander in Zipra during the liberation struggle, Dabengwa will do himself a lot of good by leading the way in support of VP Mphoko to make a positive change not only in the region but also in the country."

"Dabengwa must understand that just like a teacher who does not support his or her rising student is a charlatan, so is a commander who pulls down his rising subordinate."