Oppah Muchinguri asks for forgiveness

"I AM sorry if I wronged anyone," said Zanu-PF national secretary for transport and welfare, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri.

Addressing more than 3 000 people gathered to celebrate her re-appointment to the Politburo and Cabinet, Muchinguri-Kashiri, said it was time for people to forgive each other and move forward.

"If there is anyone out there I wronged, I want to say sorry. We should learn to forgive each other and move forward. In politics a lot of things happen, but I am humbled by the support I received from my family, friends and the people of Mutasa who are gathered here for this great occasion.

"Last year was one of the most challenging years, but I want to thank everyone especially my family and children for the moral support. We spent a lot of time away from home because we wanted to deal with the new form of oppression that was creeping into the party. Thank you my family for standing by time through those trying times.

My first born Tanya was missing me, but here we are today celebrating.

"I also want to thank everyone who supported me during my tenure as the secretary for women affairs. I enjoyed working with everyone," she said.

Muchinguri-Kashiri challenged the people of Mutasa Central to have self introspection and see where they are getting it wrong for voting for the opposition in the last two harmonised elections. Mutasa Central is among the four seats in the hands of MDC-T.

"As people of Mutasa Central, we should be ashamed of ourselves. We should join others and ensure that this seat returns to Zanu-PF. We should emulate other constituencies. Despite the two setbacks, we will continue supporting President Mugabe who is always there for us in good and bad times," she said.

Muchinguri-Kashiri thanked President Mugabe for the Presidential Input Scheme, which she said had gone a long way in assisting the less privileged members of the society.

"Help me to thank President Mugabe for the input scheme. Although things are not looking well in terms of productivity on the land, we should hail our President for coming up with schemes of this nature.

"Even if hunger is stalking, we know that our President will never turn his back on his people. President Mugabe will continue supporting us and we should thank him by continuing rallying behind him.

"We will remain loyal to him," said Muchinguri-Kashiri.

She also thanked Vice-President Mnangagwa for accepting the people of Mutasa's invitation to be guest of honour at the oversubscribed celebrations.

Although Mnangagwa could not make it to the celebrations due to other pressing commitments, he seconded national secretary for administration, Dr Ignatius Chombo.

Muchinguri-Kashiri said Manicaland should emulate other provinces which meet regularly to chart the way forward in terms of development unlike what was happening in the past where disgraced former secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa was notorious for calling meetings to pamper his political ego.

"There is a new breath of fresh air in Manicaland. I think everyone can agree with me that it was not possible to have gatherings of this nature during Mutasa's era as our leader here in Manicaland.

"This notorious gangster should be dealt with decisively.  He was instrumental in having the late Edgar Tekere forming ZUM and duped Simba Makoni from leaving Zanu-PF. He wanted to be the only powerful person in Manicaland.

"Peace is now prevailing in the party and his case should be concluded speedily," said Muchinguri-Kashiri.

The Benza twins, Innocent and Gerald, were instrumental in organising the celebrations as they donated five beasts that were slaughtered as well as 8 000 litres of beer, among other things.

The legislator for Mutasa North, Luke Masamvu, also played a crucial role in organising the function as well as providing gifts that were handed over to the guest of honour and Muchinguri-Kashiri.