adminFORMER Zanu-PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman Mr Temba Mliswa has distanced himself from former Vice-President Joice Mujuru and expelled former Zanu-PF secretary for administration Mr Didymus Mutasa, labelling them “cowards” and “failures” who were wasting people’s time by forming a political party.
Ironically, Mr Mliswa was expelled from the party for being part of the Mujuru cabal and has been heavily linked to the so-called People First movement that is pushing for the formation of a political party led by the former Vice-President.
Mr Mliswa was fired alongside Mrs Mujuru and 16 ministers and deputies on charges of plotting to remove President Mugabe from power unconstitutionally.
Addressing journalists last Friday at the Bulawayo Press Club, Mr Mliswa labelled both Mrs Mujuru and Mr Mutasa — who is his uncle — as cowards who had dismally failed as leaders in Zanu-PF as they only started making noise after they were expelled from the revolutionary party.
“I have always questioned these leaders that they were senior members of the party sitting in the Politiburo, that is pre-congress, but they never did a thing when these things were being discussed. It is only now that they say these things are not true.
“If they are leaders where were they and what did they do? Why talk now? Whoever wants to form this People First party is just wasting people’s time. They failed to stand for themselves. They are failures who will never get an opportunity to correct their misdoings. I cannot be part of a bunch of cowards, what party do they want to form, with who as their leader?” said Mr Mliswa.
He said both Mrs Mujuru and Mr Mutasa had a chance to tell President Mugabe their side of the story and even warn him when being told inaccurate information because they occupied powerful positions in both the country and the party but instead sat back and only started talking when they were thrown out of the system.
“They could have corrected what they felt was wrong. They had the power. They sat in the Politiburo, they had access to the President but what did they do — nothing. I can never be part of people who cannot stand for themselves. It is more painful for me because I would never just sit in a meeting and be told something which I have reservations about and just keep quiet.
“I personally had a fantastic relationship with the President. As Mashonaland West chairperson I met him six times where we would discuss a number of issues regarding the province and I tell you those were very productive meetings,” said Mr Mliswa.
He revealed that he had resolved to take a sabbatical from party politics where he would just sit back and observe from a distance.
“I don’t know any party called People First. I don’t know who the leader is and even if I did I would not be taking part in it. I have come to accept that I was kicked out of Zanu-PF, therefore I have decided to just take a back seat and observe from afar.
“My role right now is to advocate for the participation of young people in active politics. One of my wishes in life is to transform our youths from being voters to becoming the actual people we will be voting for,” said Mr Mliswa.
Mr Mliswa recently contested as an independent candidate and lost the Hurungwe West by-election to Zanu-PF’s Cde Keith Guzah. He has since approached the Electoral Court challenging Cde Guzah’s victory on the basis that by the time of the election, Cde Guzah’s name had not yet appeared on the voter’s roll after he transferred his voting registration from Magunje Constituency.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter