adminNduduzo Tshuma Political Editor
THE Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Cde Andrew Langa yesterday distanced himself from former Vice President Joice Mujuru and her cabal that is accused of plotting to topple President Robert Mugabe.
The former Zanu-PF Matabeleland South chairperson is one of the nine provincial chairmen who were suspended in the run-up to the party’s 6th National People’s Congress in Harare last year for, among other charges, working with Mujuru and her cabal in their plot to unseat the President.
The politburo recently upheld suspensions imposed on Cde Langa and other suspended members and slapped them with two-year bans from holding any position within the party. Cde Langa yesterday said he had never had any relationship with Mujuru
“I’ve always been honest and loyal to his Excellency President Mugabe. I’ve no links with Mujuru, I never had. I’ve never been a member of any faction if ever there are factions in Zanu-PF,” said Cde Langa.
“I belong to a Zanu-PF led by President Mugabe. Ever since I joined Zanu-PF, I’ve always followed the rules and principles of the party. I was never part of a plot to overthrow the President.”
The party recently said it would not hesitate to fire any MP making contact with Mujuru and any fired members.
Asked if he was in contact with Mujuru and her cabal, Cde Langa said, “No! I’m not in any form of contact with Mujuru. I only knew her as the Vice President before she was relieved of her duties.
“We were never close and I’ve no reason to keep in touch with her. I don’t see any reason to and I don’t understand why one would want to continue interacting with people who’ve been expelled from the party.”
Cde Langa was accused by some members of being part of Mujuru’s faction partly because he was one of the first senior cadres to back former party national chairperson Cde Simon Khaya Moyo for the vice-presidency in the run up to the congress. Cde Khaya Moyo was believed to belong to the Mujuru camp which wanted him to land the vice-presidency.
“I didn’t know that Cde Simon Khaya Moyo belonged to any faction if at all he belonged or belongs to any,” said Cde Langa.
“I’d known that he was from Matabeleland South. I’d supported him as a leader from Matabeleland South and not as a member of any faction like I said if at all he belonged to a faction.”
Cde Langa said he accepted the two year ban by the party and would continue working for Zanu-PF in his capacity as Insiza North legislator.
Bongani Moyo
Online Reporter