'We're 'surprised by Mutasa's utterances,' says Mnangagwa

ACTING President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday warned that Zanu-PF would not hesitate to expel members who work against the party and described as utter madness disgraced former secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa's bid to incite rebellion in the party.

Mnangagwa said Mutasa's claims that the National People's Congress held in December last year was a nullity and new office bearers were appointed illegally borders on insanity.

Addressing members of the Midlands Provincial Coordinating Committee, Mnangagwa warned members of the party against defying party directives saying those found guilty risked being fired.

"We must never feel bigger than the party no matter how senior you think you are because if you do so we'll not hesitate to fire you. Anyone can be fired because the axe that the party uses isn't selective. Gumbo mumba gumbo panze hazvina kunaka (don't flip flop). We must learn to humble ourselves and be united. Let's respect each other," Mnangagwa said.

He said the Congress held in December last year in Harare was the biggest, most democratic and most representative.

"Our last Zanu-PF National People's Congress was the biggest and most democratic. We're therefore surprised by Mutasa's utterances through the media with regards to some of the resolutions made. First of all, VaMutasa ndivo vakatinyorera matsamba vachitikoka kumusangano uyu (Mutasa wrote letters inviting us to the Congress). He also asked all provinces to submit their resolutions ahead of the congress in his capacity as Secretary for Administration. He went on to organise the Congress himself," added Mnangagwa.

"He then failed to attend because he wasn't feeling well and he went to South Africa. Now, when we heard what he said in the media takati uyu unorwara uyu, kwatova kurwara chaiko (We said this one is no longer in his senses. This is now madness)."

Mnangagwa also praised the First Lady Grace Mugabe, who is also the party's secretary for Women's Affairs for changing the complexion of the party by naming and shaming corrupt individuals as well as exposing other machinations.

"We didn't know that President Mugabe had a strong weapon. Stronger than the nuclear bomb. When Grace Mugabe was invited to lead the Women's League, she exposed corruption and changed our perceptions," he said.

Meanwhile, Mnangagwa said members of the party in the province should appreciate that despite the fact that he came from the Midlands province, his elevation meant he was now a Vice President for all Zimbabweans.

"Vice President is everyone's Vice President and not for Midlands alone. Ndakambonzwa vamwe vachiti kwedu kwanaka. (I heard some people saying, we've made it) Well it's ok to rejoice when one of your own is elevated but now I belong to the country and I also belong to the party. I've become a bigger servant of the people than before," he said.