Mutasa claims 'illogical and nonsense'

ZANU-PF yesterday dismissed as illogical, claims by former party secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa that he had to "personally" offer President Robert Mugabe security after the first round of the 2008 elections.

The first round of the presidential poll was inconclusive as it failed to produce an outright winner between President Mugabe and MDC-T's Morgan Tsvangirai. In terms of the Electoral Act, a presidential run-off election had to be staged within 90 days of the March 2008 general election. President Mugabe won the second round resoundingly in June 2008.

Mutasa, in an interview with South Africa's Sunday Independent paper that was also published by the Daily News yesterday claimed that after the initial polls, he had to drive from Rusape to the State House in Harare to ensure the President's safety.

"I immediately drove, at speed and alone, from my home in Rusape, to State House in Harare. I was terrified, I had to go and protect the President from harm as we were frightened Tsvangirai would do what he said he would do and march to State House. If he had, no policeman would've stopped him," Mutasa told journalist Peta Thornycroft.

He went on to claim that people were intimidated to vote Zanu-PF conveniently saying he only became aware of the "fear" the people voted under when he had left the party.

"I do now know that Zanu-PF did violence. And cheated in elections. But both sides did violence, I accept it was mostly Zanu-PF violence. I'm very sorry about that," said Mutasa.

He professed ignorance of the Gukurahundi disturbances in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces saying he was Speaker of Parliament in the 10 years after Independence claiming the issue was never raised in the august House.

Zanu-PF secretary for information and publicity Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday dismissed Mutasa's statements as illogical and nonsense.

"I think it would be best to ask Mutasa what he was talking about. The elections were not over, there was a run off so I really don't know what he's talking about. The whole thing is illogical, how does a party take over the government when the elections are not over?" said Khaya Moyo.

"I really don't see the logic, maybe he'll have to explain what he was talking about."

On Mutasa's allegations of violence by Zanu-PF, Khaya Moyo said:

"Some of us are too busy to be commenting on things which lack logic. I've said let's concentrate on the implementation of Zim-Asset. My ministry is working on investment opportunities, that's what we would rather concentrate our attention on."

Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo, dismissing Mutasa on Twitter said the story shows that Mutasa is a habitual liar.

"Nothing new from Mutasa. Runoff was out of acceptance MDC-T won first round without enough votes for outright win! How could a frightened Mutasa rush to State House to protect President Mugabe after 2008 polls? We know he went hiding!" said Prof Moyo.

"Mutasa says he didn't know of Gukurahundi as he was Parliament Speaker in Harare yet PF Zapu told all in Parliament! This piece by Peta Thornycroft shows Mutasa is a habitual liar. If he didn't know of Gukurahundi he knows nothing."

Turning on the media outlets that published Mutasa's claims, Prof Moyo said, "Those publishing his nonsense without restraint must not think just because Mutasa has gone bonkers so has everyone."

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairperson Christopher Mutsvangwa yesterday said he would not entertain Mutasa's statements.

"I won't dignify by comment the rumblings of a patently mad person," he said.

Mutasa was expelled from Zanu-PF a few months ago for his involvement in a cabal led by ousted Vice President Joice Mujuru that plotted to topple President Mugabe in the run up to last year's Zanu-PF's 6th National People's Congress.