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Grace Mugabe's Rushinga rally - Live updates

by Staff reporter
14 Oct 2015 at 08:32hrs | Views
14:08 Grace Mugabe has finished her address.

14:05 Dr Mugabe says she brought tractors, 20 000 litres of cooking oil,  531 school satchels, 150 tonnes of ammonium nitrate fertiliser , 50 tonnes of rice,  300 tonnes of maize amongst other goods.

13:54 She says some journalists are writing lies: "When I'm not around they write that I'm intensive care, when I go to the people they say I want to buy people..so you tell me what I should do....they say I have a faction, I'm Zanu-PF 100%. I don't understand these people, you're our kids but you go overboard and we now need to have you taken to psychologists to have your heads examined.

"I will continue working, when I went to Manicaland I learnt a lot and that should be copied to other provinces...Government should look at farms and look to reduce farm sizes so that people make use of what they can utilise..some farms are lying idle because they belong some bigwigs"

13:46 "There is a disciplinary committee in Zanu-PF.....there are some who were given three-year suspensions but we see them here because their smart to know that it's cold outside the party..right now you that Mujuru and the opposition are fighting for positions in their coalition. People should stop factionalism because we have a mandate of fulfilling the goals of ZimAsset...I know Zimbabweans are hardworking and want to work for themselves but at times things don't go according to plan because it's God who controls the weather"

13:42 "We must be wary of people who come in the dark, a trustworthy person comes in the day..I told you people there's no child born with an open palm, the MDC sign. Everyone is born with a clenched fist but now you are being told to keep your palms open so that you give your gifts away....I will never stop working for Zanu-PF, the party I love. I live with a big hero and work with big heroes in the party"

13:38 Grace Mugabe describes the unfair processes of the International Criminal Court which has been targeting African leaders. She describes President Mugabe as a God given leader who is approaching 92 years of age yet remains President.

13:24 Dr Mugabe says farmers cannot have Zesa prepaid meters installed at their farm. She described it as sabotage.

13:16 The First Lady is now unbundling the pillars of ZimAsset.

13:15 "Tsvangirai went on to invite sanctions because we took our land back....as the Women's league we are dedicated and that's why you see us moving around to talk to the people. That's how you see that we are working for you and ensure that what we promised in 2013 is fulfilled.

"We cannot be crying about sanctions and do nothing because that won't help that's why the Government came about with the blueprint ZimAsset. This programme has four pillars that are burdened with various tasks that need to be done."

13:08 "Some people are working hard to keep the party united and instead of uniting some went on to unite with our detractors...where is our confidence going, we should be confident that we shall succeed, we are a sovereign nation.

"Our detractors will always been in our midsts because they want to see us falter, they say we should forget about the war but we shall not do that. The West wants to see disorder because of our mineral wealth, they say you have independence but you'll never be economically independent"

13:02 "... It's cold outside Zanu-PF. Some people think that since they fought in the war it gives them the right to misbehave..it happened to one of our own from the province and it hurts us as women."

13:00 "There are people who died in Mozambique during the war and their graves are there..as your mother I'm reminding you to never forget how we got our independence. A lot of people from this province sacrificed their lives to secure this nation's independence."

12:57 Dr Mugabe says the people of Zimbabwe should never forget where the country came from.

12:51 The First Lady is now making her speech.

12:49 Suluman Chimbetu is entertaining the crowd.

12:48 VP Mphoko has cleared the air regards why he introduced the First Lady at the Chimanimani rally contrary to the private media's perception. He says Dr Mugabe is the President's wife and so she represents the President wherever she goes. He says there are naughty people who say Dr Mugabe is leading a faction and when he was inaugurated he took an oath to serve the nation and cannot now turn around and lead a faction. Just as President Mugabe cannot lead a faction, the First Lady cannot lead a faction.

"President Mugabe is the centre of power and those that don't want his leadership can move to the side and proceed to form their own party like Makoni and Dabengwa...Now with utmost humility I introduce the First Lady."

12:38 VP Mphoko is now addressing the gathering.

12:04 Kasukuwere is introducing the Politburo members in attendance.

11:58 The First Lady is expected to capacitate the Chimhanda Irrigation Scheme which has been facing viability problems. The scheme owes $74 000 to Zesa, $5 000 to Zinwa and is in need of new water pumps, hose pipes and tractors.

The scheme caters for 145 families.

11:42 Other Government officials who have attended the rally include Dr Ignatius Chombo, Professor Jonathan Moyo, Patrick Zhuwao, Saviour Kasukuwere, Thabeth Kanengoni Malinga, Prisca Mupfumira, Chris Mushowe as well as Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs Minister Martin Dinha.

11:32 Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko is also in attendance.

11:26 The National Anthem is now being played.

11:18 The briefing is over. The crowd sings ndiMai vanogona kutungamira as Dr Mugabe emerges from the briefing. She is now moving around greeting people in the tents.

10:32 Grace Mugabe has arrived here and immediately  went into a briefing with the Mashonaland Central provincial executive.

10:07 Scores of people are already gathered at Chimhanda Secondary School in Rushinga and many more are trickling in.  Dr Mugabe is set to arrive any moment from now.

10:00 First Lady and Zanu-PF Women's Affairs secretary Amai Grace Mugabe is today visiting Mashonaland Central Province as she continues with her tour of provinces preaching unity, peace and development among party supporters.

So far, the First Lady has visited Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West and Manicaland provinces.


Source - the herald
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