via Herald claims Goche hired Bob assassins 18 November 2014
THE relentless state media campaign against top government and Zanu PF officials thought to back Joice Mujuru continues with allegations public service and labour minister Nicholas Goche tried to hire hitmen to assassinate President Robert Mugabe.
The Herald newspaper claimed that Goche used the cover of a government trip to Europe and made stop-overs in Israel and South Africa where he tried to hire assassins to take out the ageing Zanu PF leader.
This follows allegations by sister publication, the Sunday Mail, that Mujuru planned to liquidate Mugabe if he refused to step-adown and allow the vice president to take over at the party’s congress in December.
Goche denied the allegations, telling the newspaper that he never travelled to Israel.
“I have never been to Israel,” he said. “You can check my passport to see if I have been to Israel.”
But that did not stop junior foreign affairs minister and new war veterans leader Chris Mutsvangwa from demanding the minister’s expulsion from cabinet.
Goche was appointed to government by Mugabe even though he played no role in the liberation struggle, Mutsvangwa charged.
“He now repays the President with treachery,” he added.
“The time of impostors is over. He must resign or the President will give him the boot.”
Mujuru has denied plotting to topple or assassinate Mugabe.
In a statement earlier this week, the vice president vowed to take legal action against The Herald and The Sunday Mail.
“I deny any and all the allegations of treason, corruption, incompetence, and misuse of public office being routinely made against me in The Herald and Sunday Mail Newspapers,” she said.
“I have briefed my legal practitioners to take the necessary steps, at law, to restore my good reputation, political standing and dignity.
“I stand ready to defend myself before the party, and in any court of law on any of the allegations made against me, at any time, in accordance with the laws of Zimbabwe.”
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