adminNduduzo Tshuma Senior Political Reporter
THE private Press has been exposed for misrepresenting the truth in their report that that First Lady Grace Mugabe “fumed” at some women who walked out of her rally in Bulawayo’s AmaZulu Sports Club on Wednesday.
The women, all elderly, moved from their positions to the back of the First Lady’s tent to queue for food hampers after some members of the women’s league directed them to do so.
The move caused commotion as many elderly women and some disabled sprang to their feet in a bid to occupy the first spot.
The chaos riled the First Lady who had not been notified of the move.
In her explanation, Zanu-PF women’s league commissar Dr Olivia Muchena explained that the message was intended for a few elderly people.
The First Lady commenting on the chaos said, “You are disorganised people of Bulawayo! Why are the women getting up? Where are they going? No! It shows disrespect.
“It’s not proper what you are doing. Where are you going? I’m still talking yet you want to go and be given the goods which I brought. Are you saying you don’t want to listen to what I’m saying?
“Now what I’m just thinking is that those who have remained there are the ones who should be given the food and those who stood up should remain where they are.
“No, it’s unfair, vote of thanks has not been given yet you’re already standing up. What type of behaviour is this? You should stop, come back and sit down.
“It’s gamatox, It’s gamatox, come back so that we finish well. Come back and sit down. We’re about to finish, we’re finishing very soon so sit down.
“Ah, you see factionalism, it’s real factionalism, there is a member of a faction behind there. You should know Mugabe has no faction. Down with gamatox! Those who don’t return will not get the food so they will sleep hungry.
“I’m saying I was asked to lead you but I don’t lead people who misbehave.
“Don’t show me such misbehaviour, no. Am I looking like a misbehaved person as I stand here? Am I such a person? No ladies.
“So if you see that I am a well behaved person you should behave likewise because if you stand up while the First Lady is still talking it shows that what she is saying is useless.
“I love you women, I’m, an honest person and I’m not just saying this. When I actually declare my love to you, I mean it; I mean it sincerely. I want to work for you.
“Why am I not afraid of insulting the leaders who are seated behind me despite the fact that I’m aware that one of them could get angry and punch me? It’s because I know that my soldiers in front of me will spring up and defend me.
“But if you betray me by doing what you are doing I will be ashamed. I will go back to my house and sleep. No, I want us to move forward with women’s work”
Dr Muchena in her explanation said.
“Uxolo mama, uxolo. With what happened. We are very sorry First Lady. We believe they had organised that a few senior citizens should go behind to receive the food hampers,” she said.
“When the word moved around, many stood up and you might hear tomorrow that people walked away while you were still addressing because they didn’t want to hear what you were saying. No, this is not the position, just observe the ages of those who moved. I want to believe some people told them that the elderly and people with disabilities should move to the back to receive the food. We want to once again apologise for this confusion,” said Dr Muchena.
Online Reporter