Source: Mugabe, Grace not part of NPF: Zhuwao – DailyNews Live
Fungi Kwaramba 12 March 2018
HARARE – Deposed president Robert Mugabe and his wife, Grace, are not part
of new political outfit, National Patriotic Front (NPF), led by retired
brigadier general Ambrose Mutinhiri, the former leader’s nephew, Patrick
Zhuwao, has said.
In an opinion piece – Zhuwao brief – published yesterday, the self-exiled
former Indigenisation minister, said the majority of politicians who
belonged to the dismantled Generation 40 (G40) Zanu PF faction, namely
Jonathan Moyo, Saviour Kasukuwere and himself, were not and will not be
part of the structures of the new political outfit.
“Firstly . . . Mugabe cannot and will not be among the leaders and
founders of NPF. However, every effort will be made to secure his goodwill
by ensuring that NPF is honest and true to the ideals and values of the
armed liberation struggle that ushered in Zimbabwe’s
independence in 1980,” Zhuwao said.
A fortnight ago, Mutinhiri resigned from Zanu PF citing the “November
coup” – a military intervention that forced 94-year-old Mugabe to resign
and ushered in his former deputy Emmerson Mnangagwa as president.
NPF spokesperson Jealous Mawarire went on to announce that they had
Mugabe’s blessings – a revelation that jolted the ruling party and opened
floodgates of criticism against the former president.
Zhuwao said Grace “will not be part of the founding leadership or
hierarchy of NPF”.
This comes amid wide speculation that the new political outfit would rope
in scores of former G40 legislators and ministers, who are scattered in
and outside the country with no political home.
Last week, the Mnangagwa administration said it will be closely monitoring
to establish the connection between Mugabe and NPF, which so far has only
two recognisable faces – Mutinhiri and Mawarire.
Interestingly, Zhuwao claimed that the new party was already being
infiltrated by State security agents.
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