News / National
All traditional leaders belong to Zanu PF, Mnangagwa declares
28 Jun 2015 at 07:29hrs | Views
Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa has declared that all traditional leaders are expected to be pro-Zanu PF and can never be apolitical.
Addressing a Ministry of Justice constitutional advocacy meeting in Masvingo on Friday, Mnangagwa said Zanu PF only agreed to allow clauses that prohibit traditional chiefs from being involved in politics in the new constitution due to pressure from MDCs during the power-sharing government.
"Traditional leaders cannot fail to know the right people [Zanu PF]. They know and pray that God must keep and protect President [Robert] Mugabe," he is quoted saying by the Standard.
"You cannot know that while you are neutral."
"In Tsholotsho I spoke in Ndebele with Vice-President Mphoko because we wanted their votes," he said.
Mnangagwa's revelations confirmed claims by opposition political parties that traditional leaders were instrumental in aiding Zanu PF victories by frog-marching their subjects to vote for Mugabe and other ruling party candidates.
Addressing a Ministry of Justice constitutional advocacy meeting in Masvingo on Friday, Mnangagwa said Zanu PF only agreed to allow clauses that prohibit traditional chiefs from being involved in politics in the new constitution due to pressure from MDCs during the power-sharing government.
"Traditional leaders cannot fail to know the right people [Zanu PF]. They know and pray that God must keep and protect President [Robert] Mugabe," he is quoted saying by the Standard.
"In Tsholotsho I spoke in Ndebele with Vice-President Mphoko because we wanted their votes," he said.
Mnangagwa's revelations confirmed claims by opposition political parties that traditional leaders were instrumental in aiding Zanu PF victories by frog-marching their subjects to vote for Mugabe and other ruling party candidates.
Source - The Standard
