News / National
Joshua Nkomo a sell-out, says Mnangagwa
03 Sep 2015 at 06:50hrs | Views
VICE-PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has sensationally claimed the late Vice-President Joshua Nkomo lost the 1980 general elections to Zanu-PF leader, then Prime Minister, Robert Mugabe because he represented interests of the white minority.
Mnangagwa, in a recent interview with the New African magazine, claimed the former late Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith confided to him and Mugabe that Nkomo and Zanu founder, Ndabaningi Sithole lost the elections because they did not represent the interests of the black majority.
Nkomo and Sithole participated in the elections under PF Zapu and Zanu Ndonga tickets respectively and lost to Mugabe, in elections where they alleged electoral fraud.
joshua-nkomo1
Mnangagwa told the New African magazine that Smith, in a meeting held in Mount Pleasant after the elections, said Mugabe won the polls because he was a principled leader compared to the two.
"In 1980, just after the elections in Zimbabwe, but before Mugabe, who was PM-elect was inaugurated, we were at a place in Mount Pleasant in Harare when Mugabe said he wanted to talk to Ian Smith, the outgoing PM and the generals. I was then Mugabe's personal assistant and head of security . . . Once inside the room, Smith said: "Mr Mugabe, before you speak, I want to say something." Mugabe said: "Ok, go on." Then Smith said: "Mr Mugabe do you know why you won this election?" Mugabe said: "Why?'" Mnangagwa told the New African magazine.
He added: "Smith said: 'Me, as Ian Smith, I represent white interests and I have been championing white interests, but I have been able to call other African leaders to discuss issues with them. People like (the late James) Chikerema, Joshua Nkomo, Ndabaningi Sithole, Chief Chirau of Zvimba and others."
"All these lost elections because the African people of this country have realised that these leaders do not only stand for the interests of the black people, they can also be swayed by me to represent white interests. But you have not met me. You have refused to meet me. So the people know that you are the only one who represents their interests. So Mr Mugabe, you should be grateful to me for not having met you."
Mnangagwa was responding to a question on what he thought had kept Mugabe in power since 1980.
The VP added: ". . . You see, I am telling you this story to say that President Mugabe has survived because he is a principled leader. He makes sure, eh, champions the interests of the people.
"So his people, the majority in this country, stand with him in good and bad times, and he does not desert his people. This is why he has survived. That is the secret."
Mnangagwa, in a recent interview with the New African magazine, claimed the former late Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith confided to him and Mugabe that Nkomo and Zanu founder, Ndabaningi Sithole lost the elections because they did not represent the interests of the black majority.
Nkomo and Sithole participated in the elections under PF Zapu and Zanu Ndonga tickets respectively and lost to Mugabe, in elections where they alleged electoral fraud.
joshua-nkomo1
Mnangagwa told the New African magazine that Smith, in a meeting held in Mount Pleasant after the elections, said Mugabe won the polls because he was a principled leader compared to the two.
"In 1980, just after the elections in Zimbabwe, but before Mugabe, who was PM-elect was inaugurated, we were at a place in Mount Pleasant in Harare when Mugabe said he wanted to talk to Ian Smith, the outgoing PM and the generals. I was then Mugabe's personal assistant and head of security . . . Once inside the room, Smith said: "Mr Mugabe, before you speak, I want to say something." Mugabe said: "Ok, go on." Then Smith said: "Mr Mugabe do you know why you won this election?" Mugabe said: "Why?'" Mnangagwa told the New African magazine.
"All these lost elections because the African people of this country have realised that these leaders do not only stand for the interests of the black people, they can also be swayed by me to represent white interests. But you have not met me. You have refused to meet me. So the people know that you are the only one who represents their interests. So Mr Mugabe, you should be grateful to me for not having met you."
Mnangagwa was responding to a question on what he thought had kept Mugabe in power since 1980.
The VP added: ". . . You see, I am telling you this story to say that President Mugabe has survived because he is a principled leader. He makes sure, eh, champions the interests of the people.
"So his people, the majority in this country, stand with him in good and bad times, and he does not desert his people. This is why he has survived. That is the secret."
Source - newsday
