Mnangagwa Interview: Much ado about nothing

I am one such a reader who was fascinated by the interview that Vice President Emerson Munangagwa generously gave to the London-based magazine, The New African Magazine.

He spoke on a variety of issues that are quite edifying to a generation that was not old enough to witness the war of liberation.

However, some readers and the private media chose to make issues out of nothing. The private media attempted to set Zanu-PF leaders against each other over trivial issues that do not even merit an iota of attention. After failing to pick any incriminating and political gaffe in the interview to pounce on, the private media resorted to taking some issues out of context.

Headlines that followed the interview were quite scandalous and sensational. It was sensationalism of the media at its worst. One tabloid had a screamer that goes-"Mnangagwa plots Mugabe exit." After going through the interview, the part where Mnangagwa was allegedly plotting the exit of President Mugabe was totally missing. I challenge anyone to show me that part if it ever exists.

In my own view, there is nothing sinister for VP Mnangagwa to tell people that he will miss President Mugabe. After all, who will not miss that African icon, unless one is an angel of the devil? President Mugabe is mortal. It is inevitable that one day he will pass away just like anybody. It is that sad moment that VP Mnangagwa and every sane citizen of this country will miss President Mugabe. Even the First Lady herself, Dr Grace Mugabe alluded to this at one of her recent rallies.

As if that was not enough, the onslaught on VP Mnangagwa continued this week with the private media inciting and whipping up emotions of certain politicians over unfounded allegations that the VP branded the late Vice President, Joshua Nkomo a sell-out.

Zanu-PF elders must be wary of the detractors' machinations to cause disharmony in the revolutionary party. I went over the interview twice but could not find anywhere where the allegations were mentioned.

VP Mnangagwa was only reporting what Ian Smith said at that particular meeting in 1980. Whether it was Smith's figment of imagination or fact, VP Mnangagwa surely does not know and so is everybody save for Smith himself and the late VP Nkomo.

"Once inside the room, Smith said: 'Mr Mugabe, before you speak, I want to say something.' Mugabe said: 'Ok, go on.' Then Smith said: 'Mr Mugabe do you know why you won this election?' Mugabe said: 'Why?' "Smith said: 'Me, as Ian Smith, I represent white interests and I have been championing white interests, but I have been able to call other African leaders to discuss issues with them. People like (the late James) Chikerema, Joshua Nkomo, Ndabaningi Sithole, Chief Chirau of Zvimba and others."

"All these lost elections because the African people of this country have realised that these leaders do not only stand for the interests of the black people, they can also be swayed by me to represent white interests. But you have not met me. You have refused to meet me. So the people know that you are the only one who represents their interests. So Mr Mugabe, you should be grateful to me for not having met you."

This is the part of the interview that raised the false alarm. Its strange that the private media decided to mischieviously attribute these claims to VP Mnangagwa. If there is anyone who must be accused of labelling Father Zimbabwe a sell-out, it must be the late Smith. Himself.

I believe VP Mnangagwa and President Mugabe were hearing about Smith-Nkomo meetings for the first time. I should also believe they never bothered to ask the contents of their meetings, only Smith and the late VP Nkomo knew what they discussed.

The Cdes that were infuriated by these allegations must revisit the interview and verify rather than form an opinion based on the media that have their own agenda. Their enragement is a show that they have played into the grand plan of the media and detractors and they only save to please them.

VP Mnangagwa is, however, advised to clear himself on this matter rather leave people second-guessing him.

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John Sigauke <johnsigau@gmail.com