'Didymus Mutasa has tasted own medicine'

MANICALAND Provincial Affairs minister Mandi Chimene yesterday took a dig at Zanu-PF's ousted secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa, describing his recent outburst as sour grapes.

Addressing journalists at her offices in Mutare, Chimene said Mutasa was tasting his own medicine and should not cry foul when the same "punishment" he used to mete out against other party members was applied on him.

This was after Mutasa on Monday issued a scathing attack on President Robert Mugabe and First Lady Grace Mugabe for breaching party procedures and running an illegal congress which endorsed the ouster of several party heavyweights.

"I am surprised that this statement is coming from a former Zanu-PF secretary for administration and all along he was the man who was responsible for administration in Zanu-PF," Chimene said.

"The congress was arranged by the secretary for administration and the constitutional amendments he is now describing as illegal emanated from his office. He was in charge of the action he is now blaming today. He has proved that he did not have Zanu-PF at heart, but position

"He wanted power and when issues suited him he would let them pass. He caused Mike Madiro [Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairperson] to leave office unprocedurally because he was in higher office. He is a big man and should have respect and is tasting his own salt. The swords he used to attack other persons with are the same now used against him. Biblically those who live by the sword will also die by the sword," Chimene said.

"He created his downfall and so these are the kicks of a dying horse. The Patriotic Front was created when he was not part of us. We did not have any bases in England. He joined the liberation struggle later and he is just a patch (chigamba) in the struggle, so he should not just say anything he wants.

Chimene also said Mutasa should be expelled from the party and his parliamentary seat declared vacant.

Mutasa was not available for comment yesterday.