Linking Grace Mugabe with evictions is politically motivated, says Zanu-PF

Zanu-PF has dismissed media claims that First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe is behind the ongoing eviction of villagers at Manzou Farm in Mazowe, describing them as politically-motivated and calculated to soil the ruling party's Secretary for Women's Affairs' image.

This comes as Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Minister Martin Dinha clarified the farm's status and disassociated the First Family from the evictions.

In a statement yesterday, Zanu-PF's information and publicity department said the claims were "utterly baseless" and a relentless onslaught "on the good name of Dr Mugabe".

"Zanu-PF is deeply concerned and angered by repeated falsehoods targeted at the Secretary for Women's Affairs Dr Grace Mugabe.

"We are especially distressed by the latest claim, which is completely and utterly baseless, that Dr Grace has any entitlement to or anything to do with the ongoing eviction of people from Manzou Farm which authorities say was designated not as a residential area but a national heritage site several years ago.

"We view this relentless onslaught on the good name of Dr Mugabe as politically-motivated and call upon all those who are behind this sordid campaign to stop it forthwith."

The department went on: "Dr Grace is a strong and courageous politician who is not afraid to engage her political opponents on any matter at any time of the day.

"However, any such political debate must be premised on mature ideological issues rather than on cheap, silly and patently defamatory falsehoods.

"Dr Mugabe is a kind-hearted, magnanimous and considerate human being whose charitable work over the years has endeared her to many millions within Zimbabwe and abroad."

Minister Dinha said the area in which the farm is located was not designated for human habitation.

He pointed out that the province was making efforts to restore its status as a national heritage site.

Manzou Farm was a game park and was declared a national heritage site by the Department of National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe years ago.

It was, however, invaded by illegal gold panners.

Some sections of the media have reported that the invaders were being evicted at the instigation of the First Lady, claiming she wanted to set up a multi-million-dollar wildlife sanctuary.

"It (the farm) has nothing to do with the First Family at all," said Minister Dinha, adding, "This business of abusing the name of the First Lady, her privacy and integrity must come to an end.

"Zimbabwe is not a banana republic as wished by some people and we have not deteriorated to that level of lawlessness and anarchy."