'Beware of betrayers,' says Mugabe

Zanu-PF should remain united to stave off elements like Dr Joice Mujuru who are bent on propagating divisions and betrayal, President Mugabe said yesterday.

He said it was unfortunate that individuals like sacked Vice-President Dr Mujuru and her sidekick, Mr Rugare Gumbo, had turned out to be traitors after the liberation struggle.

The President was addressing hundreds of people who turned up to witness him receive a house in Woodlands Park, Gweru constructed by Real Valley Properties in honour of his illustrious leadership.

He said: "(On Friday) you were with Amai (First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe) in Mberengwa. She told me (Friday) night that there were many people who had come to hear her speech. "The two Vice-Presidents (Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko) were there; and the Zanu-PF Midlands provincial leadership, the women's and youth league members were also there."

He continued: "She said she had given the people there some goodies. That is what mothers do, unlike us men who come here with hands in our pockets, but we will see what we can do for you. Yes, we should do something for you. I am told you won the elections in this area that means you are united and being led by our party. You must remain united here in Midlands. We do not want to lose elections in Gweru. We should be united and not be fooled by those who want to divide you and destroy the party. The Zanu-PF aim is to build the nation and we are not like those who do not have a clear past and those who were in our midst who came out (in the) open like Mai Mujuru who wanted to take over power. "I did not think that after fighting the colonialists and overpowering them, Mai Mujuru would betray us with Madyira (Mr Gumbo), saying she wants to lead ahead of people like Mnangagwa. But we said, ‘No, you are traitors and pasi nemhanduuuuu'."

On opposition politics he said: "They (Britain and the United States ) said to (Gibson) Sibanda, (Morgan) Tsvangirai, Welshman Ncube, 'Organise yourself in a group and fight Zanu-PF'. To fight the party which has given you land? Which has given you control of your natural resources? "Let them be judged by their evils. The Lord will judge them for their bad deeds to fight those who liberated the country, those who want to empower the people."

President Mugabe also expressed his hope that the rains would be sufficient to produce good yields.

"There are areas that did not get a good harvest (last season), but we will help the people there. We do not want to see anyone starve. It would embarrass us," said the President.

He urged Zimbabweans to be resilient, challenging the nation to work hard and not solely rely on Government.