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Mugabe's Independence day speech uproar takes a nasty turn
23 Apr 2014 at 14:02hrs | Views
The furore over President Robert Mugabe's Independence Day speech in the Midlands Province has taken a nasty turn after a deputy minister was reportedly threatened by an angry Zanu-PF legislator.
Deputy Mines and Mining Development minister and Zvishavane–Runde lawmaker, Fred Moyo, finally read Mugabe's speech in Zvishavane after an angry exchange of words with John Holder, Zvishavane-Ngezi legislator, who was asked to step down moments before he delivered the key note address on Independence Day.
A visibly angry Holder then left in a huff and later wrote a message to Moyo threatening to take unspecified action against him.
In the message Holder said: "You will reap what you sow."
Holder confirmed sending the message to Moyo.
"I did send the message to Moyo because I felt embarrassed in the presence of people as an MP of the same district," said Holder.
The MP said the incident was triggered by factionalism that is threatening to tear Zanu-PF apart, especially in the Midlands, seen as a bastion of Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa's support. Mnangagwa and Vice President Joice Mujuru are reportedly tussling to replace Mugabe, but the two have denied leading factions in the party.
Holder claimed former Midlands Governor Cephas Msipa was behind his forced removal from the podium.
Msipa, however, denied he was behind the incident, instead insisting what happened was strict government protocol.
"I had just gone to attend the celebrations at my home area because they are the people who voted me to be where I am today. I do not hate anybody. I campaigned for Holder during the harmonised elections in 2013, of which I am happy he won the seat," said Msipa.
Msipa said he had seen the message sent by Holder to Moyo, threatening unspecified action.
"I was also surprised to be told by Moyo that he had received a threatening message from Holder. We do not expect that," Msipa said.
Moyo was not available for comment.
Midlands Provincial Affairs minister Jason Machaya explained that according to government protocol, only executive officials and at least district administrators, were allowed to preside over events such as Independence and Heroes Day celebrations, and to deliver the president's key note address.
Deputy Mines and Mining Development minister and Zvishavane–Runde lawmaker, Fred Moyo, finally read Mugabe's speech in Zvishavane after an angry exchange of words with John Holder, Zvishavane-Ngezi legislator, who was asked to step down moments before he delivered the key note address on Independence Day.
A visibly angry Holder then left in a huff and later wrote a message to Moyo threatening to take unspecified action against him.
In the message Holder said: "You will reap what you sow."
Holder confirmed sending the message to Moyo.
"I did send the message to Moyo because I felt embarrassed in the presence of people as an MP of the same district," said Holder.
The MP said the incident was triggered by factionalism that is threatening to tear Zanu-PF apart, especially in the Midlands, seen as a bastion of Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa's support. Mnangagwa and Vice President Joice Mujuru are reportedly tussling to replace Mugabe, but the two have denied leading factions in the party.
Holder claimed former Midlands Governor Cephas Msipa was behind his forced removal from the podium.
Msipa, however, denied he was behind the incident, instead insisting what happened was strict government protocol.
"I had just gone to attend the celebrations at my home area because they are the people who voted me to be where I am today. I do not hate anybody. I campaigned for Holder during the harmonised elections in 2013, of which I am happy he won the seat," said Msipa.
Msipa said he had seen the message sent by Holder to Moyo, threatening unspecified action.
"I was also surprised to be told by Moyo that he had received a threatening message from Holder. We do not expect that," Msipa said.
Moyo was not available for comment.
Midlands Provincial Affairs minister Jason Machaya explained that according to government protocol, only executive officials and at least district administrators, were allowed to preside over events such as Independence and Heroes Day celebrations, and to deliver the president's key note address.
Source - Zim Mail
