Zanu-PF to respond to Mutasa's 'disparaging press reports'

Zanu-PF secretary for information and publicity Simon Khaya Moyo has broken his silence saying he would on Monday give a comprehensive response to remarks made by the revolutionary party's former secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa.

The media has accused Khaya Moyo of always dodging questions from journalists and not answering his phone since being confirmed party spokesperson in December.

In a statement yesterday, Khaya Moyo said he was in the last few days of his leave and would respond to Mutasa's "disparaging press reports" on Monday.

"After our hectic but very productive 6th National People's Congress held last December, the First Secretary and President of Zanu-PF RG Mugabe granted me leave to take a well-deserved rest," he said.

"I'm in the last few days of that leave and will be returning home this weekend in preparation for the resumption of my official duties on Monday, January 19, 2015.

"I've heard of the disparaging press reports which are attributed to Didymus Mutasa concerning our Congress and party. In view of the seriousness of these remarks, I shall on Monday give a comprehensive, factual and detailed response to these remarks as they don't deserve a casual comment."

Mutasa, who has become spokesperson for the cabal led by former Vice President Joice Mujuru, this week issued an inflammatory attack on President Mugabe, the First Lady Grace Mugabe and the party in a long and rambling press statement that was availed exclusively to the private media.

He signed off his statement as secretary for administration despite the fact that he no longer holds that post after failing to make it into the party's Central Committee from which members of the Politburo are drawn.

He got the lowest votes in Makoni District Central Committee elections.

Mutasa said he had issued his statement on behalf of, among other people, "all past members of Zanu-PF, expelled or who dissociated with Zanu-PF voluntarily in prior years due to the perceived lack of democratic principles and practice in the party."