via Gumbo a Rhodesian sellout – Mpofu 7 November 2014 by Richard Muponde
THE Zanu PF war of words between Obert Mpofu and Rugare Gumbo over Vice President Joice Mujuru escalated yesterday with the former describing his politburo colleague as a “pseudo-revolutionary” and “a Rhodesian sellout.”
The latest salvo came after Gumbo suggested Mpofu had a chequered history, but the Umguza legislator said his history was well documented.
“If Gumbo said that it’s unfortunate, I think he was talking about his own history,” he said.
“Don’t listen to the nonsense that is being said by Rhodesian sellouts. You cannot change history and it is unfortunate the media is busy writing lies about our history.”
Mpofu accused Gumbo of being a factional spokesperson following last week’s politburo meeting.
The war of words between the two started after Mpofu intimated that Gumbo was speaking on behalf of Mujuru rather than Zanu PF, triggering a sharp response from the veteran politician.
Mpofu, who Gumbo told to shut up, said his remarks might have been taken out of context.
However, Mpofu has hit back with strong words, pointing to a tense run-up to the party’s congress next month.
“Don’t listen to these pseudo-revolutionaries. I operated in Sipolilo, DK (Deka), Hwange, Victoria Falls and Kazungula,” he said giving an account of his own liberation war record, as if to quash Gumbo’s statement that it was chequered.
“I did not operate in the rear like others, I was at the front.”
Mpofu said he had formed the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association and was its first provincial chairperson in Matabeleland North and Bulawayo.
“I am one of the best guerillas to be trained at Morogoro in 1967 to 1968, you can ask, any guerilla will tell you about my history,” he said.
Asked to comment on Mpofu’s statements, Gumbo quipped mockingly, asking how he could comment on that.
“Honestly can I comment on that? History will judge us as to who is right or wrong,” he said.
Last week, the Midlands and Matabeleland North provincial co-ordinating committees resolved that Gumbo be relieved of his job, accusing him of lacking integrity to continue as the party spokesperson.
Knives are out for Mujuru, while those seen as aligned to the Vice President have not escaped the vicious onslaught, which culminated in sections of Zanu PF calling for their ouster.
There have been calls for the resignation of Mujuru, Gumbo, war veterans’ leader Jabulani Sibanda and Zanu PF Mashonaland East chairman Ray Kaukonde.
Former Mashonaland West chairman Temba Mliswa has already been ousted, while Masvingo chairman Callisto Gwanetsa had a contentious vote of no confidence motion passed on him, the clearest indication that Zanu PF’s summer of long knives was just beginning.
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