News / Regional
'Mugabe to win in 2018'
01 Apr 2016 at 10:24hrs | Views
ZANU-PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere has warned ambitious party leaders bent on turfing aside President Robert Mugabe from power before his term is out that their actions will be resisted.
Kasukuwere said President Mugabe remained the best leader for both party and country, insisting Zanu-PF would win the 2018 elections with him at the helm.
"President Mugabe's term of office runs until 2018 and any talk or discussion questioning his legitimacy borders on treason," said Kasukuwere, who was addressing party supporters in Dotito, Mashonaland Central Province, on Wednesday.
"Let's continue supporting the founder of our nation until his job is done. With our President, Zimbabwe will succeed, black Africans will succeed and Zanu-PF will succeed."
In his birthday interview with the ZBC aired early last month, President Mugabe said any discussion about his succession was misplaced considering that he was given the mandate by the majority of Zimbabweans to rule until 2018.
He said he could have not accepted the mandate if he knew he would not be able to complete his term.
"When we went to Congress in 2014, and the people said you're the candidate in 2018, I didn't say I was a candidate to retire, only to retire mid-way," he said.
"I was a candidate for the term, the term is a five-year term."
On Tuesday, President Mugabe told journalists in Japan, where he is on a State visit, that challenging his constitutional mandate was tantamount to rejecting the wishes of Zimbabweans. With health permitting, he would stand for another term in 2018, he said.
Kasukuwere said Zanu-PF had confidence in their leader and the party was optimistic he would be able to stand for another term in 2018 and win.
He told party supporters not to be moved by opposition parties, particularly Joice Mujuru's Zimbabwe People First.
"Who can beat him [Mugabe]? Nobody! President Mugabe will win the election in 2018 come what may. He's an icon, he has worked very hard for the country and defending the gains of the liberation.
"We've heard some people saying let's 'BUILD' [Mujuru's 'Blueprint to Unlock Investment and Leverage for Development']. Build what? What have you built before? Show us your previous works," said Kasukuwere.
Kasukuwere said President Mugabe remained the best leader for both party and country, insisting Zanu-PF would win the 2018 elections with him at the helm.
"President Mugabe's term of office runs until 2018 and any talk or discussion questioning his legitimacy borders on treason," said Kasukuwere, who was addressing party supporters in Dotito, Mashonaland Central Province, on Wednesday.
"Let's continue supporting the founder of our nation until his job is done. With our President, Zimbabwe will succeed, black Africans will succeed and Zanu-PF will succeed."
In his birthday interview with the ZBC aired early last month, President Mugabe said any discussion about his succession was misplaced considering that he was given the mandate by the majority of Zimbabweans to rule until 2018.
He said he could have not accepted the mandate if he knew he would not be able to complete his term.
"I was a candidate for the term, the term is a five-year term."
On Tuesday, President Mugabe told journalists in Japan, where he is on a State visit, that challenging his constitutional mandate was tantamount to rejecting the wishes of Zimbabweans. With health permitting, he would stand for another term in 2018, he said.
Kasukuwere said Zanu-PF had confidence in their leader and the party was optimistic he would be able to stand for another term in 2018 and win.
He told party supporters not to be moved by opposition parties, particularly Joice Mujuru's Zimbabwe People First.
"Who can beat him [Mugabe]? Nobody! President Mugabe will win the election in 2018 come what may. He's an icon, he has worked very hard for the country and defending the gains of the liberation.
"We've heard some people saying let's 'BUILD' [Mujuru's 'Blueprint to Unlock Investment and Leverage for Development']. Build what? What have you built before? Show us your previous works," said Kasukuwere.
Source - chronicle
