'Did Mugabe assign Charamba to warn successionists?' - Mahoka

Zanu-PF Women's League secretary for finance Sarah Mahoka yesterday asked President Mugabe to confirm whether or not he assigned Presidential spokesperson, Mr George Charamba, to warn successionists against abusing the First Family to pursue their own agendas.

Mahoka also challenged Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa to distance himself from people she claimed were abusing his name.

This came as President Mugabe yesterday said Zanu-PF members should adhere to party procedures when they have grievances.

Mr Charamba, speaking as the Press Secretary to the President two weeks ago, took a swipe at some Zanu-PF cadres who were claiming to be behind the First Family when they harboured their own presidential ambitions.

He said it was a matter of time before the successionists faced their comeuppance.

Speaking at an event organised by the Zanu-PF Women's League at Zanu-PF Headquarters in Harare, Mahoka attacked The Herald which she claimed was not reporting on developmental issues.

"Toda kuziva kuti baba ndovakatuma munhu iyeye (Charamba) here? Party ina spokesperson anotaurira party, hurumende ina spokesperson," she charged,

"VaCharamba (George Charamba, Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, perm sec) ngavaregedze kutaura kwavasina kuswera!" Mahoka said.

In the interview, Mr Charamba asserted that he was speaking as the President's spokesperson.

Mahoka said VP Mnangagwa should speak against those using his name.

VP Mnangagwa, however, maintained his cool and did not respond.

"Vice President, hanzvadzi yangu iyi chikara," Mahoka said. "Ndinozviziva isu tichinzi chikara. Ndinokumbirawo kuti nyaya yekuti vanhu vatambise tambise zita renyu baba makangonyarara, Mai Mahoka vachiita zvavanoda nezita renyu. Toda kuti baba tikunzwei muchitsiura.

"Regai kuita sedhakisi rakapedza vana richingoti aaah! aaah! aaah! Baba simukai mutaure nekuti vanhu vatinetsa, nokutishungurudza,"

She went on: "Hatipo kurwisa VaMnangagwa, tiri pakurwisa kuti vanhu vaMnangagwa varikutaura ava, ko VaMnangagwa havazvinzwe here nhai veduwe? Toitwa marombe here, tokandwa (mugango) here.

"Vanhu vacho vari pano, vakatomaka ini asi handitye nezita raJesu."

Some party members at the function said Mahoka's behaviour showed disrespect of protocol and party procedures.