Mnangagwa's new dispensation is a 'junta government' admits Mohadi

Vice President Kembo Mohadi yesterday admitted that the President Emmerson Mnangagwa so-called new dispensation is a "junta government" that came to power through a coup carried out by trained cadres.

Addressing hundreds of Zanu-PF supporters in the now ghostly town of Chegutu in Mashonaland West Province, the former State Security minister said people can call Mnangagwa's government all that they want.

"It is true we are a junta government because we are all trained soldiers and cadres, there is nothing untoward about it, yes, we were soldiers, we were cadres and now we are preparing the ground. Our enemies are going to provoke us but because we have all these people, we will not be fazed," said Mohadi.

Mnangagwa came to power last November following a military intervention that led to the resignation of long-serving despot Robert Mugabe.

Apart from general (retired) Constantino Chiwenga, other former generals in the present government include former air force boss Perrance Shiri and former major general Sibusiso Moyo.

Mnangagwa - whose main challenger in the July 30 harmonised elections is youthful MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa - told the crowds earlier that the forthcoming elections are just academic as the ruling party, which is accused of stalling wholesale electoral reforms, will easily romp to a comfortable victory over "barking puppies".

"Nothing is going to change, nothing will change after elections. Zanu-PF is in power and will continue in power . . . we don't waste time fighting puppies (hatipedze nguva tichirwisana nezvipopi," said Mnangagwa.

"General elections are ... provided for in our Constitution and we are going to definitely get that mandate and if you are true Zanu-PF what kind of beer would you have taken to follow a party that is being ruled by those who are being ruled," Mnangagwa added.

The former spy minister admitted that there are so many investors who are fencesitting, apprehensive of the future but assured them that come rain or thunder, the ruling party will triumph against opposition parties.

And Mnangagwa "described those in the opposition as "mapenzi" (fools) who should be ignored.

Recently, his spokesperson George Charamba told reporters at a workshop in Kariba that the opposition is falling in Zanu-PF's trap and will have nowhere to run when it loses the forthcoming elections scheduled for July 30.

"... this election is about restoring international engagement and legitimacy, that is where we are, it must be honest, it must be transparent, it must be free, it must be fair it must meet international standards, it must be violence-free and therefore it must be universally endorsed ... what young Chamisa has ... done inadvertently, but in a way that is nationally helpful, is to show that he can walk the length and breadth of this country uninhibited, which means it is going to be difficult for him to turn around and say it wasn't free, it was fair..."

"And thank you police, secure him, let him convene as many meetings as he wants ... it is about legitimacy that is where we are, we are playing a very high-level game," said Charamba.

Among other things, Mnangagwa promised to downsize farms, create employment and re-engage the international community once he has fulfilled the constitutional requirements and gained legitimacy.