News / National
'I'm in charge' says Grace Mugabe
15 Feb 2016 at 10:37hrs | Views
Zimbabwe's first lady, Grace Mugabe, reportedly handed out 1 095kg of raincoats to rally-goers in Chiweshe.
Only one week ago, her husband President Robert Mugabe declared the drought a national disaster. This season's rains have been abnormally low.
Agencies now warn that up to 3 million Zimbabweans or nearly one-quarter of the population will need food aid.
The raincoats were part of a long list of donations handed out by Mugabe's 50-year-old wife.
Other items donated included tractors, rice, cooking oil, sugar and shoes, said Newsday and eyewitnesses at the scene of the rally.
Grace Mugabe used the rally to insist that she would push her husband to work "in a wheelbarrow" if he was unable to walk.
She said Mugabe would be Zanu-PF's sole candidate for the next elections in 2018, according to an update from the Herald online. He will be 94 then.
In what some see as the final push to annihilate a Zanu PF faction reportedly linked to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, popularly known as "Team Lacoste", as Grace declared she is firmly in charge of the ruling party.
Grace made the remarks while addressing thousands of Zanu PF supporters in Mazowe South, where she urged people to "watch this space" for the unravelling of the Lacoste faction.
"Those engaging in factionalism should stop it forthwith. The time is nearing for telling each other the truth. I am not eyeing any post because I am in charge already.
"Could I be more in charge than this (current status as First Lady)? People say Amai Mugabe wants to rule yet I am ruling," she said in reference to introductions made by Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko, who said Mugabe's deputies were third in the pecking order, insinuating Grace was second.
Only one week ago, her husband President Robert Mugabe declared the drought a national disaster. This season's rains have been abnormally low.
Agencies now warn that up to 3 million Zimbabweans or nearly one-quarter of the population will need food aid.
The raincoats were part of a long list of donations handed out by Mugabe's 50-year-old wife.
Other items donated included tractors, rice, cooking oil, sugar and shoes, said Newsday and eyewitnesses at the scene of the rally.
Grace Mugabe used the rally to insist that she would push her husband to work "in a wheelbarrow" if he was unable to walk.
She said Mugabe would be Zanu-PF's sole candidate for the next elections in 2018, according to an update from the Herald online. He will be 94 then.
In what some see as the final push to annihilate a Zanu PF faction reportedly linked to Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa, popularly known as "Team Lacoste", as Grace declared she is firmly in charge of the ruling party.
Grace made the remarks while addressing thousands of Zanu PF supporters in Mazowe South, where she urged people to "watch this space" for the unravelling of the Lacoste faction.
"Those engaging in factionalism should stop it forthwith. The time is nearing for telling each other the truth. I am not eyeing any post because I am in charge already.
"Could I be more in charge than this (current status as First Lady)? People say Amai Mugabe wants to rule yet I am ruling," she said in reference to introductions made by Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko, who said Mugabe's deputies were third in the pecking order, insinuating Grace was second.
Source - newsday
