News / National
Mnangagwa demands Mahoka apology
12 Feb 2016 at 07:48hrs | Views
VICE-PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has reportedly demanded an apology from Zanu-PF Women's League secretary for finance Sarah Mahoka after she savaged him in front of hundreds of party supporters shortly before Wednesday's politburo meeting.
The Hurungwe East MP publicly dressed down Mnangagwa and challenged him to "speak against your people who are terrorising us", warning that he could risk becoming a victim of his own machinations if he does not publicly declare his interests to succeed President Robert Mugabe, as is widely believed.
Mnangagwa maintained his composure throughout Mahoka's rantings, but later allegedly confronted First Lady Grace Mugabe just before the politburo meeting to express his anger and demand an apology.
"He asked Grace whether she had set him up for humiliation. The First Lady responded that she was also shocked by Mahoka's utterances, while the President promised to call in Mahoka to explain herself. Even by Generation 40 (G40) standards, I think Mahoka went overboard," a well-placed party source said.
Mahoka yesterday scoffed at the suggestions she had disrespected Mnangagwa or the President.
"You were there. I actually respected them both. I did not disrespect anyone. If anything, the President acknowledged what I had said and if anyone has a problem, they should contact me. I will wait for the day when the charges are going to be preferred against me," Mahoka said.
However, Mnangagwa's supporters yesterday vowed to defend their leader and bring Mahoka to order.
"If Mugabe does not do anything about that, then the dice has been cast," a Mnangagwa ally who declined to be named declared.
The expression "the dice is cast" means a situation is past the point of no return.
Sources said Mugabe had to perform a juggling act in order to keep warring factions in his bitterly divided party apart during the 13-hour-long explosive politburo meeting where Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo and his War Veterans counterpart Christopher Mutsvangwa were ordered to bury their differences and banned party officials from abusing social media platforms.
Moyo yesterday confirmed that he had hammered a truce with Mutsvangwa.
"We have no choice. Yes, I made peace with him (Mutsvangwa) at yesterday's politburo meeting," Moyo curtly said.
Mutsvangwa, however refused to comment, only retorting: "I'm okay".
The Hurungwe East MP publicly dressed down Mnangagwa and challenged him to "speak against your people who are terrorising us", warning that he could risk becoming a victim of his own machinations if he does not publicly declare his interests to succeed President Robert Mugabe, as is widely believed.
Mnangagwa maintained his composure throughout Mahoka's rantings, but later allegedly confronted First Lady Grace Mugabe just before the politburo meeting to express his anger and demand an apology.
"He asked Grace whether she had set him up for humiliation. The First Lady responded that she was also shocked by Mahoka's utterances, while the President promised to call in Mahoka to explain herself. Even by Generation 40 (G40) standards, I think Mahoka went overboard," a well-placed party source said.
Mahoka yesterday scoffed at the suggestions she had disrespected Mnangagwa or the President.
"You were there. I actually respected them both. I did not disrespect anyone. If anything, the President acknowledged what I had said and if anyone has a problem, they should contact me. I will wait for the day when the charges are going to be preferred against me," Mahoka said.
"If Mugabe does not do anything about that, then the dice has been cast," a Mnangagwa ally who declined to be named declared.
The expression "the dice is cast" means a situation is past the point of no return.
Sources said Mugabe had to perform a juggling act in order to keep warring factions in his bitterly divided party apart during the 13-hour-long explosive politburo meeting where Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo and his War Veterans counterpart Christopher Mutsvangwa were ordered to bury their differences and banned party officials from abusing social media platforms.
Moyo yesterday confirmed that he had hammered a truce with Mutsvangwa.
"We have no choice. Yes, I made peace with him (Mutsvangwa) at yesterday's politburo meeting," Moyo curtly said.
Mutsvangwa, however refused to comment, only retorting: "I'm okay".
Source - newsday
