via Grace Mugabe’s pictures raise storm – NewsDay Zimbabwe September 10, 2014 by Silas Nkala
THE MDC led by Welshman Ncube yesterday attacked the State-owned Zimbabwe United Passengers’ Company (Zupco) for involving itself in Zanu PF’s succession politics by sticking large posters of First Lady Grace Mugabe on most of its buses, saying it was blatant abuse of State property.
A number of Zupco buses carry large posters of Grace written “In solidarity with Amai” while others have posters of her husband President Robert Mugabe.
Grace was recently nominated as the Zanu PF Women’s League’s new boss as well as into the party’s central committee, paving way for her husband to appoint her into the powerful politburo at the elective congress in December.
A position in the politburo would ensure that Grace has a say in her husband’s successor.
MDC Matabeleland South provincial chairperson Pilate Ndebele yesterday said it was sad that Zanu PF had gone to the extent of personalising State property by reducing Zupco into party property.
“The campaigning for Grace through Zupco buses is a violation, abuse and undermining of State property,” said Ndebele.
“Zupco is a parastatal whose funding is from taxpayers’ money. It is unfair for Zanu PF and the government to personalise State property and use it as a campaign tool for an individual worse,” said Ndebele.
“It is just like having pictures of political party leaders who have nothing to do with government displayed at court buildings and other government departments.”
Ndebele said the First Lady was not part of government and the display of her photographs on State-owned buses prompts people to think that the buses belong to Zanu PF when they do not.
“The only people who deserve to have their pictures displayed on public property are the likes of the late Vice-President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, Lookout Masuku and all those national heroes who contributed immensely to the liberation of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“Grace is doing a lot of good things for people, but that does not mean that State property must be abused to campaign for her entry into politics.”
He called for the immediate removal of the Zanu PF logo and Grace’s posters from all Zupco buses, saying they were not owned by the First Family.
COMMENTS
Yesterday @tapiwa said:
“I for one do not really care much about whos is who but the truth is if these are their cars, their property, its their constitutional right to paint whoever they want on their cars, houses, clothes whether rented or not.However if its government property then thats a different issue altogether.”
Now it is no longer their cars, their property, is it their constitutional right to paint whoever they want public transport? My point here is that Grace could paint her face on your house without your permission and there is nothing you could do about it. Such is the abuse within a dictatorship.
These opposition parties fail to understand simple common sense as stated above by Doctor do little.It is a known fact that ZANU-PF has stated it on many occasions that their party is above government since all the government policies come from their party.You were involved in the GNU,therefore do not pretend that you do not know how the ruling party works.
Who’s this grace woman?
If Samantha Cameron done that the outrage would force David Cameron to resign.The power of the Queen of Darkness is total. Soon she shall feel the wrath of the people.
Very interested to know what “good” Grace has done for people. Can’t think of anything offhand.
Ncube and Tsvangirai poured milk into the sand now they want to reclaim it .
You can always spit at the ugly portrait. Its your democratic constitutional right as comrade tapiwa advertises
I long for a Grace-less free day. she is insufferable
Gucci lips -at least we will all know how to find her when it comes to judgement time
Scatters voices of the opposition will not stop the giant ZANU PF to do as it pleases. What is needed in for all opposition to put aside all their differences small and big and stand behind each other. Shoulder to shoulder on the plow and fight the dictator. They are abusing ZUPCO and any other state apparatus for their good, but its not for long. Death is certain they will one day disappear.
The thieving scumbags have been abusing state property for years
they can alwayz do that,we are ourselves to blame.since when muchingobirwa makatarisa muchingonyarara mazimbos takapusa