'Zanu-PF senator receives death threats from Mujuru faction'

ZANU-PF Manicaland senator Monica Mutsvangwa yesterday made sensational disclosures that she had received death threats for questioning senior party politicians in the province as factional politics intensify ahead of the December elective congress.

She also claimed that senior Zanu-PF officials belonging to Vice President Joice Mujuru's faction intimidated other members in an effort to coerce them into supporting the beleaguered camp.

Mutsvangwa last year clashed with party secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa after she failed in her bid to win the provincial chairmanship position, which went to John Shumba Mvundura, who was reportedly linked to the Mujuru faction.

Mutasa, who was linked to Mujuru, once expelled her from the Central Committee citing party regulations.

Mujuru and Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa allegedly lead opposing factions battling to succeed President Robert Mugabe, who will turn 91 years old in four months.

Speaking at the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators Association (Ziliwaco) 18th anniversary celebrations held in Odzi, Mutsvangwa said she won't be cowed into silence.

"You will never kill me. You will never kill all of us. I am not afraid of dying. I have been intimidated on many occasions that if I come to Manicaland I will die. I am not afraid," she said.

"People of Manicaland we need to liberate ourselves otherwise we will continue to suffer. They tried to force me out of the Central Committee but they failed. I am there."

Mutsvangwa was standing in for First Lady Grace Mugabe who could not attend the Ziliwaco anniversary celebrations.

The Zanu-PF women's league member challenged Mujuru to openly challenge Mugabe at the elective congress in December and "get what she deserves for fanning factionalism".

She alleged that the Zimbabwean economy was underperforming due to Mujuru's alleged extortionist tendencies.

"Companies are failing to make profits because of this person who is always demanding 10% from them," Mutsvangwa said.

Grace on Thursday also alleged that Mujuru was extorting money from companies and owns 10% shareholding in almost all major firms in the country.

Mutsvangwa said there was only one "faction which is totally against President Mugabe and Amai (Grace) and is giving us answers to puzzles that we had for a long time".

"If you have decided and think that you are ready to rule Zimbabwe you don't have to ride on Mugabe's popularity. There is internal democracy in Zanu-PF and you should stand against him at the congress and let people choose for themselves," she said.

The meeting, which was only characterised by insults towards perceived members of the Mujuru camp, was also attended by former Zanu-PF leaders, Dorothy Mabika and Tawanda Mukodza. The two were suspended from the party for various offences.

Without mentioning names, Mutsvangwa said there were leaders in Manicaland who were causing confusion and intimidation. The war collaborators also alleged that Mujuru, through her faction, was working against them receiving compensation like what the war veterans did.

The tiff between Mutsvangwa and Mutasa later sucked in Foreign Affairs deputy minister Chris Mutsvangwa who questioned Mujuru's war credentials.