News / National
'Mugabe is the sole centre of power,' says Mphoko
15 Oct 2015 at 06:08hrs | Views
First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe flanked by Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko(second from left), Zanu PF secretary for Administration Ignatius Chombo(left), and Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs minister Martin Dinha(right) at Chimhanda Secondary School in Rushinga.-(Picture by Innocent Makawa)
President Mugabe is the sole centre of power in zanu-pf and those not satisfied with his leadership are free to form their own parties, Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko said yesterday.
VP Mphoko, who has received misinformed criticism from the private media for introducing the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe at events, said there was nothing amiss in him taking that responsibility as the later was the wife of the President of the country and First Secretary of zanu-pf.
The private media claimed VP Mphoko had been "belittled" because, by virtue of holding a senior position in the party, Amai Mugabe should be the one introducing him.
Speaking before introducing the First Lady at a rally at Chimhanda Secondary School here yesterday, VP Mphoko said it was insane for anyone to claim that President Mugabe, the First Lady or him led a faction.
"When I was appointed last year, I took an oath that I will respect the people of Zimbabwe and President Mugabe," he said.
"Today, how can I turn against the one who appointed me and vowed to respect saying he now leads a faction? How can President Mugabe lead a faction when he is the one centre of power in our party?" he asked adding, "How can the First Lady, who is always behind the President of the country, lead a faction? It's all lies and impossible. President Mugabe will never agree to lead a faction. He is our only leader. If you are not satisfied with his leadership, go aside and form your own party. Dumiso (Dabengwa) did that, (Simba) Makoni did that and formed their parties and you too, go if you are not satisfied with President Mugabe."
VP Mphoko said while Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and himself joined President Mugabe in the presidium, there was nothing wrong in introducing the First Lady and the media reports suggesting otherwise were mischevious.
"Those from the press ask why I introduce the First Lady," he said, "These are three families. The President and the First Lady, VP Mnangagwa and Amai Mnangagwa and me and my wife. These three families are inseparable. There are some who are naughty, but she is the wife of the Head of State."
Amai Mugabe also weighed, during her address, saying the misrepresentation by the private media on the issue of introductions was because of lack of knowledge.
She said: "You do not know protocol. You are uneducated. Go back to school! Surely, how can you have a paper having such a headline? It is just nonsense."
Yesterday's event was attended by several Politburo members, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, businesspersons, the leadership from other provinces and thousands of Zanu-PF supporters from several districts in Mashonaland Central.
VP Mphoko, who has received misinformed criticism from the private media for introducing the First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe at events, said there was nothing amiss in him taking that responsibility as the later was the wife of the President of the country and First Secretary of zanu-pf.
The private media claimed VP Mphoko had been "belittled" because, by virtue of holding a senior position in the party, Amai Mugabe should be the one introducing him.
Speaking before introducing the First Lady at a rally at Chimhanda Secondary School here yesterday, VP Mphoko said it was insane for anyone to claim that President Mugabe, the First Lady or him led a faction.
"When I was appointed last year, I took an oath that I will respect the people of Zimbabwe and President Mugabe," he said.
"Today, how can I turn against the one who appointed me and vowed to respect saying he now leads a faction? How can President Mugabe lead a faction when he is the one centre of power in our party?" he asked adding, "How can the First Lady, who is always behind the President of the country, lead a faction? It's all lies and impossible. President Mugabe will never agree to lead a faction. He is our only leader. If you are not satisfied with his leadership, go aside and form your own party. Dumiso (Dabengwa) did that, (Simba) Makoni did that and formed their parties and you too, go if you are not satisfied with President Mugabe."
VP Mphoko said while Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and himself joined President Mugabe in the presidium, there was nothing wrong in introducing the First Lady and the media reports suggesting otherwise were mischevious.
"Those from the press ask why I introduce the First Lady," he said, "These are three families. The President and the First Lady, VP Mnangagwa and Amai Mnangagwa and me and my wife. These three families are inseparable. There are some who are naughty, but she is the wife of the Head of State."
Amai Mugabe also weighed, during her address, saying the misrepresentation by the private media on the issue of introductions was because of lack of knowledge.
She said: "You do not know protocol. You are uneducated. Go back to school! Surely, how can you have a paper having such a headline? It is just nonsense."
Yesterday's event was attended by several Politburo members, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, traditional leaders, businesspersons, the leadership from other provinces and thousands of Zanu-PF supporters from several districts in Mashonaland Central.
Source - the herald
