Mnangagwa's ally demands $200,000 from Chiyangwa for defamation

ZANU-PF Gokwe Nembudziya MP who is also reported to be a staunch supporter of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Justice Mayor Wadyajena, has demanded $200,000 from Philip Chiyangwa for allegedly defaming him through a video recorded during Grace Mugabe's rally in Chimanimani two weeks ago.

During the Chimhanimani rally, Chiyangwa recorded Chinguno saying that Wadyajena was now backtracking on his support for the First Lady a development which they said was due to his insanity.

Lumumba is heard asking Chinguno if Wadyajena is a gay to which the provincial youth leader responded that he was one.

Wadyajena through his lawyers, Machingauta and partners, demanded an apology and $200,000 from Chiyangwa, party colleagues Acie Lumumba and deputy Manicaland provincial youth chair Mabuso Chinguno for alleging that he was insane and a gay.

"In the video you alleged that our client is gay and that he is insane ... our client contends that he is sane and does not practice gayism," reads part of the court papers.

Meanwhile, Chiyangwa was on Friday booed by party's supporters in Harare after he had heaped praise on the ousted former political commissar Webster Shamu.

Chiyangwa, who was a guest speaker at an economic empowerment conference which was hosted by the youth and empowerment ministry, angered participants by saying Shamu was a distinct cadre among the champions of black empowerment in the country.

Shamu was, in June, suspended from the party for three years on allegations of siding with the ousted former Vice President Joice Mujuru.

Realising that the audience was not happy with his Shamu praises, Chiyangwa diverted and started bootlicking First Lady Grace Mugabe and the ruling party saying the two were the only sources and symbols of empowerment in Zimbabwe.