MOSES MATENGA
Former President Robert Mugabe, has endorsed and congratulated President Emmerson Mnangagwa despite the 94 year-old having also endorsed MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, ahead of the elections.
Mugabe declared he would not vote for Mnangagwa in the July 30 elections, opting to vote for Chamisa.
He accused Mnangagwa’s government of tormenting him and said: “l will not vote for my tormentors.”
However, Mugabe, who said he was not well together with his wife, sent daughter Bona to represent him.
Bona arrived in the company of husband, Simba Chikore, with a note from the former strongman.
“I have received a note from the former President,” Mnangagwa said before reading out the statement.
“My wife is not well in Singapore and also I am not well so I have sent my daughter Bona to represent me and my wife,” read the note.
Mugabe was ousted during a military intervention in November last year and has been complaining of being ill treated.
He claimed he had security aides seconded to him removed while a ceiling at his Blueroof residence was crumbling with government doing nothing about it.
He said he would vote for Chamisa instead, indicating deep bitterness with the Mnangagwa administration.
A smiling Mnangagwa first shared the Mugabe statement with Rwandese President Paul Kagame and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa before reading it to a jubilant crowd.
MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe and her team of vice president Overt Gutu and Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga was also in attendance and was recognised by Mnangagwa.
Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila, Zambian President Edgar Lungu and former Mozambican President Joachim Chissano, among others, were also in attendance.
In his speech, Mnangagwa emphasised that he will be a servant leader and expects the same of his government.
He pledged to improve the way of life of the Zimbabwean people.
He urged for unity from all political parties including those who lost in the elections.
Chamisa is denying the loss insisting elections were rigged and has sought regional intervention while threatening peaceful protests.
Thousands filled the national stadium for the event that was snubbed by Chamisa and his MDC Alliance party.
