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Nduduzo Tshuma Senior Political Reporter
FIRST Lady Grace Mugabe yesterday castigated factionalism in Zanu-PF Bulawayo province, saying the divisions caused the party’s failure to win any parliamentary seats in last year’s harmonised elections.
Cde Mugabe, addressing a rally at AmaZulu Sports Club as part of her “Meet the People” countrywide tour, said frustrated party members were voting for the MDC-T due to imposition of candidates who did not have the interests of the people at heart.
She said the jostling for the Vice President position ahead of the Zanu-PF December elective congress was testimony that there was no unity in the province.
Zanu-PF’s Bulawayo provincial chairperson Professor Callistus Ndlovu had earlier called on leaders to unite, but had insisted that there was no factionalism in the province. This was rejected by the straight-talking First Lady as “lies”.
“People with wisdom, Baba [Joshua] Nkomo and Baba [Robert] Mugabe saw it important that we should have unity of purpose [by signing the Unity Accord in 1987]. If there wasn’t unity, there wouldn’t be peace in this country. We would be misled by enemies saying that continue fighting amongst yourselves. The unity brought us peace, love and living harmoniously that we’re seeing,” Cde Mugabe told thousands of cheering supporters who braved the afternoon heat to hear her speak.
“Here in Bulawayo… Bulawayo! Bulawayo! What’s wrong with Bulawayo? Bulawayo what’s wrong? We came here (last year), not in this particular venue but at White City Stadium and the leadership of the party were promising the President that ‘this time President we’ve done our homework and don’t be surprised if we’re going to sweep all the seats.’
“We were very happy when we left after being told that ‘we’ll sweep all seats’. When we followed the announcement of results, we said did they take all seats? It shocked us how things happened.”
Zanu-PF failed to win any seats, although it registered an increase in its vote share compared to the previous election.
“I asked about factionalism and I was told it’s not there. Those are lies! Lies that are not wanted by people. This thing of forwarding hundred names [for the vacant Vice President post] shows that there’s factionalism,” she said to thunderous applause as Prof Ndlovu sat stone-faced just feet away.
“Factionalism is rampant in Bulawayo, whether you like admitting it or not. You see elderly men not even greeting each other. When they do greet each other, you can tell from their body language that they’re not in good books.”
Cde Mugabe said the party’s membership remained depressed in Bulawayo because the leadership was not showing unity of purpose, with others saying they were PF-Zapu — the former liberation movement which forged a united front with Zanu in 1987 to form Zanu-PF.
“Because leaders continue being imposed, the people are vowing not to vote for those people. I’m saying the leadership of Bulawayo, if we were to be truthful you know what needs to be done in Bulawayo.
“We can’t go on with dissenting voices saying ‘I want Zanu-PF’, ‘I want Zapu’ and doing factionalism. Down with you! Down with you! Those doing that, down with you!,” she thundered.
“You’re not uniting people. I don’t think Baba Nkomo is happy where he is. If he was happy, you would be winning. He is saying why you’re undoing the things that I left in place.”
She also condemned some senior party leaders who are rushing to the media declaring their interest for the Vice Presidency.
Cde Mugabe said she was endorsed for the Women’s League top post publicly, without campaigning or rushing to the media. She said she had observed that the local leadership had an attitude of laying claim to everything.
“If there was dialogue, solidarity and unity of purpose, we weren’t going to see five names in the newspaper. I said that there’re women like Jane Ngwenya, if they wanted to be spoilers, they would say they also want and the number grows, but they’re disciplined people who say we don’t do such things in the party,” said Cde Mugabe.
She said not everyone can be in leadership positions. “It shows that you’ve no respect for each other. That’s why here in Bulawayo, we don’t get any votes because you don’t show each other respect.”
The First Lady said some individuals who were seeking leadership appeared not to be in their best health, while others were vain and had an exaggerated sense of self-importance.
She went on: “Money is changing hands, lots of money. They’re not sleeping. I’m asking that go and sit and agree. I can’t say an ill person will die tomorrow; I can be healthy but still die tomorrow. Death, that knowledge of when one is going to die, is the prerogative of the maker, he’s the one who knows. But if you see that you’re ill; you see that your brains are not in order, why do you put your name forward?
“You! We know that you’re educated, but don’t have wisdom. You act like an abnormal person, you act like a donkey at a grinding mill. You put yourself forward, we know that you’ve money but when you stand in front of people, you look down upon them. Start by self-introspecting, whether you’ve leadership qualities.
“You want to put yourself in front because you think that if your wife or husband says go there, you should be there. Ask yourself if you’ll manage that position.”
Cde Mugabe said the vice presidency was for people with depth so that if the President decides to send them anywhere, they would not be clueless. She said people were tired of being taken for granted and wanted leaders who work for them.
“In Bulawayo, there’re many problems that should be solved. Show us that you can actually put this province together first before you can think of ruling this country. You’re failing to solve problems, you’re used to standing in front of people and lying to them,” said Cde Mugabe.
“Unite Bulawayo and show us that you’re a capable leader, a magnanimous leader, and then we’ll agree that you’re a deserving person for that position. Now in Bulawayo, there are problems and you’re the ones who start them. The people know that the problems come from the top.”
Cde Mugabe said Zanu-PF would not be recognised in the province if leaders failed to address people’s problems and deliver on their promises. She said 600,000 registered to vote in last year’s polls but there was voter apathy, with some voting for MDC-T because they did not want to vote for imposed leaders.
She castigated some senior party officials for failing to assist women whose wares were confiscated by the police, but were ready to use them to further their interests.
A maternity ward in a major hospital had no water, she said, but the leaders were doing nothing to alleviate the mothers’ suffering.
Cde Mugabe said President Mugabe insisted that the African Union Sport Council (AUSC) Region 5 Under-20 Games be held in Bulawayo, refusing to accept the lack of international standard venues as an excuse by some who wanted them to be shifted to Harare. As a result of his intervention, she said, Bulawayo’s stadia were getting a facelift ahead of the December games.
She said the President knew the move would improve infrastructure and create jobs in Bulawayo.
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