Buns, drinks at Grace’s rally

via Buns, drinks at Grace’s rally – DailyNews Live 29 August 2015

HARARE – Zanu PF supporters were on Thursday treated to four buns and an Alpha Omega juice each at First Lady Grace Mugabe’s rally in Murombedzi.

Alpha Omega is President Robert Mugabe’s family-owned company that produces liquid milk products, yoghurts and other dairy products.

People queueing to get into the venue could be heard sharing their excitement about being given the freebies.

“Ndizvo ka zvatavinga izvi (This is what we came for), we are getting buns at the gate,” one woman said, rubbing her hands with glee.

Meanwhile, nurses could be seen carting away on stretcher beds some people who had collapsed due to hunger and heat exhaustion.

Grace said Zimbabweans were better off hungry than being ruled by someone other than Mugabe.

She said the constant complaining about hunger and poverty is what led people to “sell-out” their country.

“Most of the people who went to war have nothing, but they don’t complain, because they are satisfied with how they fought and conquered in the war.  But other people just love complaining, and in hard times they sell-out,” she said.

“Zimbabweans love to complain, look at countries whose presidents were forced out in the Arab nations, they were torn by war and lived in anxiety thinking they could be struck down at any time. It’s better to go to bed hungry than living thinking you might be struck with a gun.”

She spoke as the United Nations World Food Programme reported that an estimated 1,5 million people were facing hunger in Zimbabwe.

She added: “When people face hardships they start complaining, other people experienced harder times to the extent of eating their shoes, but for us when we sleep on an empty stomach one day, we complain and think of selling out our country, we should look at the sacrifices made by those who went to war (sic).

“Zimbabwe is peaceful, and we want to keep that peace, we can die of hunger, yes hunger can kill us, chakafukidza dzimba matenga, but we are peaceful.

“They went to Libya and made people stand up against him (Muammar Gadaffi), Egypt they did it again, an in Libya today, there is no peace, people live in fear, that they can be struck down.”

The First Lady went on to donate food stuffs, including cooking oil, rice, mealie meal, sugar, salt, flour as well as washing soap.

She said as villagers enjoyed the meals, they should remember her.

“Kana makanga (After frying) and you are having your meals, modya muchiti (enjoy your meals saying), we were given by amai (mother), and we were given by amai.

“People in other countries actually ask to have him (Mugabe) as their president, but we don’t see the good that God gave us in giving us our leader, who works honestly, he has probity.”

The rally was attended by several Cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, chiefs, and other top Zanu PF officials

Some of the ministers who attended the event include Ignatius Chombo, Ziyambi Ziyambi, Walter Chidakwa, Douglas Mombeshora, Martin Dinha, Christopher Mutsvangwa and wife Monica, Supa Mandiwanzira, Febba Chidarikire and Patrick Zhuwao.

Suluman Chimbetu, who later entertained guests after Grace’s speech, was seated in one of the VIP tents, wearing a red T-shirt, sun hat, shades, and his trademark Bluetooth device, pumping the air and chanted the Zanu PF slogan.