Simba Makoni warns of ‘Gushungo dynasty’

via Simba Makoni warns of ‘Gushungo dynasty’ October 22, 2014

Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn leader Simba Makoni yesterday slammed President Robert Mugabe’s family for attempting to turn the country’s leadership into “a Gushungo dynasty” following the recent elevation of his wife Grace Mugabe to head Zanu PF’s Women’s League.
Gushungo is Mugabe’s totem.
Addressing journalists in the capital, Makoni, who was served as Mugabe’s Finance minister, said recent developments in Zanu PF suggested secret plans by the veteran politician to anoint the First Lady as his successor.

He implored Zanu PF moderates to resist the move, which he said was calculated to create a dynasty.

Makoni said Mugabe’s deafening silence while Grace savaged senior Zanu PF members and even threatening to “baby-dump” Vice-President Joice Mujuru during her whirlwind tours last week pointed to that.

“Where does she get the authority to stray into the territory of the Head of State and Government of Zimbabwe?” Makoni queried.

“Since Mrs Mugabe started her campaign, President Mugabe has gone underground, surfacing only once to cap graduates at a State university, and to travel to the Vatican. Does he approve all the statements being made by Mrs Grace Mugabe on matters of State and government?

“Has he abdicated his responsibilities to the people of Zimbabwe, in deference to his wife? Is he condoning the disparaging remarks she is making about ministers he appointed and who he supervises?”

For over two weeks, Grace was on a whirlwind tour of the country’s 10 provinces holding what she termed Meet the People rallies following her nomination in June to lead the Zanu PF Women’s League. She has taken the platform to attack Mujuru and other top Zanu PF officials perceived to belong to a rival faction fighting to dislodge Mugabe.

But Mugabe has remained silent over her public outbursts.

Mujuru is believed to be leading a Zanu PF faction tussling with another reportedly led by Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa in the race to succeed Mugabe.

Makoni said Grace’s trips paralysed government operations as she took with her a large entourage of government officials which she was not constitutionally entitled to. The opposition leader demanded to know the source of funding for the trips.

“Large numbers of government ministers, senior civil servants and other functionaries were on her tour. We have counted at least eight ministers present at her every meeting. And all the Zanu PF leaders from each province were present when she visited the provinces,” he said.

Makoni said Grace was not a State functionary to enjoy the financial support from government for her whirlwind tours.

“The purpose of her current activities is not national, but party political. Her messages are not those of a ‘mother of the nation’, but partisan, combative, divisive and self-centred.”

Makoni said it was surprising that at all Grace’s rallies, Zanu PF supporters would start by presenting her with a catalogue of grievances that were national in nature.

He denied claims by Grace that his Mavambo project was formed in Mujuru’s house, although he admitted to being related to the Vice-President’s family.