Grace Mugabe's Politburo seating arrangement raises eyebrows

ZANU-PF's secretary for women's affairs and First Lady Grace Mugabe yesterday raised eyebrows at her maiden politburo meeting when she occupied one of the front seats reserved for the party's presidium during a politburo meeting, where former secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa and his nephew Temba Mliswa were expelled from the ruling party.

The First Lady entered the boardroom where the meetings are held in the afternoon together with President Mugabe and secretary for administration Ignatius Chombo, before going around greeting all members of the Politburo. She then proceeded to take her seat at the top table next to President Mugabe, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko.

A local publication claims that the sitting arrangement in yesterday's meeting set tongues wagging and fuelled speculation that Grace was either being groomed to succeed Mugabe or strategically occupied the seat to provide nursing care for her husband who turns 91 on Saturday.

Normally, the top table is reserved for Mugabe and his two deputies, in this case Mnangagwa and Mphoko.

Mugabe sat between Grace and Mnangagwa, as Mphoko was relegated to the far left corner.

Zanu-PF secretary for information Simon Khaya Moyo said President Mugabe had welcomed Dr Mugabe into the Politburo.

The First Lady made the grand entrance into mainstream politics in July last year when the Zanu-PF Women's League recommended to the President her appointment as secretary for Women Affairs.

Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, who is now secretary for transport, relinquished her post to the First Lady.

The resolution received unanimous endorsement from youths, traditional leaders, war veterans, churches and students.

It was the First Lady's entrance into politics that killed factionalism, which had been created by former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru and her cabal.