…as Chamisa disowns Grace
Moses Matenga
HARARE – MDC Alliance Presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa said his party has nothing to do with former First Lady Grace Mugabe who has been rumoured to be eyeing the coalition’s vice presidency ahead of July 30 elections.
Grace Mugabe has largely been blamed for usurping executive powers from her 94 year-old husband, Robert, a situation which led to the November 14, 2017 coup under Operation Restoration Legacy.
Though she has been out of public glare since November last year, Grace Mugabe is alleged to be the purse behind the National Patriotic Front (NPF) which is currently making manoeuvres to join forces with the MDC Alliance.
Chamisa confirmed on Monday that his party had nothing to do with the former Zanu PF Women’s League boss who he said had retired from active politics.
“A statement has been issued on that and you can make reference to it,” he told Business Times.
The statement read in part: “As far as we know Grace Mugabe retired from active politics and she is not involved with the Alliance.
“Obviously there will be sideshows, propaganda and infiltration,” he warned.
“If (President Emmerson) Mnangagwa abused Grace’s name to chase (former VP Joice) Mujuru from Zanu PF then used Grace’s name to justify a coup then do not be surprised when he uses Grace’s name to try to steal voters from MDC Alliance.”
Last week, NPF commissar Jim Kunaka alleged that party spokesperson Jealousy Mawarire, chairperson Eunice Sandi Moyo and Shadreck Mashayamombe were paid by Grace Mugabe to oust Ambrose Mutinhiri.
This came as Sandi-Moyo last week fired interim party leader Ambrose Mutinhiri who is reportedly resisting the push for the party to join hands with Chamisa.
“We will stand by Mutinhiri. These guys are lost and have taken the wrong route. They do not have the power to fire the president when the party’s constitution has not been endorsed by the people. When they addressed the press conference they had cash that they had received from Grace (Mugabe) who wants to be MDC Alliance Vice President,” Kunaka alleged.
