News / National
Zanu PF is overworking Mugabe: Dongo
01 Nov 2011 at 23:51hrs | Views
On Tuesday the Daily News reported that firebrand politician Margaret Dongo has complained that Zanu PF stalwarts are overworking President Robert Mugabe for their own selfish and greedy gains by not letting him hand over power.
Dongo, a freedom fighter and former member of Zanu-PF, said Mugabe was no longer as capable to make decisions as he used to be.
"Zanu-PF is overworking Gushungo (Mugabe), he needs to rest. The law of diminishing returns also applies to humans, as you grow older you can't do all you used to do. Your mind and body get tired even look at me; I am 51, I can't do the things I used to do at 30 so well or even at 20. Mugabe must rest," Dongo said.
A Harvard fellow and one of the first people to break out of the former ruling party and contest for a parliamentary seat as an independent, Dongo urged Mugabe to retire and reflect on his achievements.
"Only Zanu PF can give him that but there are some in the party with corrupt tendencies who are greedy and are taking advantage of his age and association to engage in corrupt activities. These people do not want to see him go," Dongo said.
The former Member of Parliament for Harare South said at 87, Mugabe is now of a very advanced age and Zanu PF should let him enjoy his twilight years.
A good number of Zimbabweans have raised questions on when Mugabe would retire.
Even members within his party are no longer confident with his leadership if the recent revelations by whistle blowing website WikiLeaks are anything to go by.
WikiLeaks, sensationally revealed that members of Mugabe's inner circle who praise him by day nicodemously sought help from US officials to remove him from power.
Daily News alleges that even Jonathan Moyo went as far as enlisting the help of British billionaire Richard Branson to remove Mugabe from power.
The succession issue is one of the major causes of division in the former ruling party which is battling to remain united ahead of elections scheduled for end of next year or in 2013.
The octogenarian leader's health and advanced age is also a major concern for many Zanu PF members who now feel that he is no longer marketable as a candidate.
Members of Parliament from both Zanu-PF and MDC once deliberated on the idea of impeaching him through an Act of Parliament.
Dongo who recently won a court battle which allowed mothers to secure passports for their children in the absence of their fathers, said the issue of Mugabe's health was his personal affair but he should pave way for someone else.
She said Zanu PF held the key to Mugabe's departure as they could discuss the matter during the party's conference in December.
"However, the question may not be raised as there is a culture of fear and silence in Zanu PF. Those who have tried to raise it were destroyed. For the sake of the nation and Mugabe's own sake, Zanu PF should discuss the succession
question," Dongo said.
The firebrand politician also believes that Mugabe should not leave his fate in the hands of others but must come up with a strategy to relinquish power and groom a successor.
Dongo, a freedom fighter and former member of Zanu-PF, said Mugabe was no longer as capable to make decisions as he used to be.
"Zanu-PF is overworking Gushungo (Mugabe), he needs to rest. The law of diminishing returns also applies to humans, as you grow older you can't do all you used to do. Your mind and body get tired even look at me; I am 51, I can't do the things I used to do at 30 so well or even at 20. Mugabe must rest," Dongo said.
A Harvard fellow and one of the first people to break out of the former ruling party and contest for a parliamentary seat as an independent, Dongo urged Mugabe to retire and reflect on his achievements.
"Only Zanu PF can give him that but there are some in the party with corrupt tendencies who are greedy and are taking advantage of his age and association to engage in corrupt activities. These people do not want to see him go," Dongo said.
The former Member of Parliament for Harare South said at 87, Mugabe is now of a very advanced age and Zanu PF should let him enjoy his twilight years.
A good number of Zimbabweans have raised questions on when Mugabe would retire.
Even members within his party are no longer confident with his leadership if the recent revelations by whistle blowing website WikiLeaks are anything to go by.
WikiLeaks, sensationally revealed that members of Mugabe's inner circle who praise him by day nicodemously sought help from US officials to remove him from power.
Daily News alleges that even Jonathan Moyo went as far as enlisting the help of British billionaire Richard Branson to remove Mugabe from power.
The succession issue is one of the major causes of division in the former ruling party which is battling to remain united ahead of elections scheduled for end of next year or in 2013.
The octogenarian leader's health and advanced age is also a major concern for many Zanu PF members who now feel that he is no longer marketable as a candidate.
Members of Parliament from both Zanu-PF and MDC once deliberated on the idea of impeaching him through an Act of Parliament.
Dongo who recently won a court battle which allowed mothers to secure passports for their children in the absence of their fathers, said the issue of Mugabe's health was his personal affair but he should pave way for someone else.
She said Zanu PF held the key to Mugabe's departure as they could discuss the matter during the party's conference in December.
"However, the question may not be raised as there is a culture of fear and silence in Zanu PF. Those who have tried to raise it were destroyed. For the sake of the nation and Mugabe's own sake, Zanu PF should discuss the succession
question," Dongo said.
The firebrand politician also believes that Mugabe should not leave his fate in the hands of others but must come up with a strategy to relinquish power and groom a successor.
Source - Daily News
