News / National
AMH publications contradict each other on Grace Mugabe rallies
26 Feb 2016 at 11:06hrs | Views
Alpha Media Holdings' two titles - NewsDay and the Zimbabwe Independent on Friday run contradictory articles on First Lady Grace Mugabe rallies.
NewsDay, a daily publication run headline titled "Mugabe bans Grace rallies".
According to the publication 92-year-old Mugabe has given in to pressure from the army and war veterans to block Grace's rallies "because they had become a national security threat."
After her Chiweshe rally two weeks ago that seemed to set the tone for Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa's removal and potshots at the country's securocrats, Mugabe - after representations from the army's top brass - reportedly ordered the rallies to stop forthwith.
Said the paper quoting an insider "The army demanded that the rallies be stopped because they had become a national security threat. They were being used for nothing, but to divide people as well as a platform for vilification of other people. One of the most dangerous things to come out of these rallies was the ethnic rant by Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko.
"That was a very low point".
However, the Zimbabwe Independent had a similar article titled "Grace to soon resume rallies".
Quoting a senior government official, the paper claims that Grace will resume her rallies after Mugabe's birthday bash in Masvingo tomorrow (Saturday) although she has been asked to tone down acerbic attacks at her whirlwind political gatherings and instead focus more on campaigning for the party and advancing the Women's League cause ahead of the 2018 elections.
The paper claims that Mnangagwa complained to Mugabe over the attacks, resulting in him calling for a meeting which was also attended by Mphoko and Grace.
"In the meeting, Mnangagwa said he was not happy with the way the rallies were being conducted. He felt that the rallies were fanning divisions and meant to attack his person. The vice-president wanted Grace's rallies stopped," a senior government official said.
"Grace, with the help of Mugabe, however said the rallies were important as they were meant to drum up support for the party as well as distribute tractors, food and clothes to needy people. She also said the Women's League wanted to be in constant touch with the people.
"Mugabe however said Grace should tone down her rhetoric and focus on the objectives of the rallies, although he was of the opinion his wife should not be stopped."
NewsDay, a daily publication run headline titled "Mugabe bans Grace rallies".
According to the publication 92-year-old Mugabe has given in to pressure from the army and war veterans to block Grace's rallies "because they had become a national security threat."
After her Chiweshe rally two weeks ago that seemed to set the tone for Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa's removal and potshots at the country's securocrats, Mugabe - after representations from the army's top brass - reportedly ordered the rallies to stop forthwith.
Said the paper quoting an insider "The army demanded that the rallies be stopped because they had become a national security threat. They were being used for nothing, but to divide people as well as a platform for vilification of other people. One of the most dangerous things to come out of these rallies was the ethnic rant by Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko.
"That was a very low point".
Quoting a senior government official, the paper claims that Grace will resume her rallies after Mugabe's birthday bash in Masvingo tomorrow (Saturday) although she has been asked to tone down acerbic attacks at her whirlwind political gatherings and instead focus more on campaigning for the party and advancing the Women's League cause ahead of the 2018 elections.
The paper claims that Mnangagwa complained to Mugabe over the attacks, resulting in him calling for a meeting which was also attended by Mphoko and Grace.
"In the meeting, Mnangagwa said he was not happy with the way the rallies were being conducted. He felt that the rallies were fanning divisions and meant to attack his person. The vice-president wanted Grace's rallies stopped," a senior government official said.
"Grace, with the help of Mugabe, however said the rallies were important as they were meant to drum up support for the party as well as distribute tractors, food and clothes to needy people. She also said the Women's League wanted to be in constant touch with the people.
"Mugabe however said Grace should tone down her rhetoric and focus on the objectives of the rallies, although he was of the opinion his wife should not be stopped."
Source - NewsDay, Zimbabwe Independent
