The former President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe has been warned by his successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa against having links with a new political party seeking to rival the ruling Zanu-PF.
Reports have been rife over the past weeks about the formation of a new political group called the National Patriotic Front (NPF) ahead of general elections this year.
The new party is being led by former Zimbabwe cabinet minister and ally of Mugabe, Ambrose Murinhiri.
Press statement by NPF President Ambrose Mutinhiri
=>Met President Mugabe on 4 March 2018
=>Says 2 out of 3 Zanu PF members support NPF
=>Party formation started 19 Nov 2017
=>Will challenge Mnangagwa coup in courts
=>Mugabe encouraged NPF to target youth & not oppress them pic.twitter.com/W5iztltZ7J— Povo Zim (@povozim) March 5, 2018
Mutinhiri’s announced his resignation from Zanu-PF last week as he signaled his resolve to led the NPF as its presidential candidate for the upcoming elections.
There have been photographs showing Mutinhiri standing with Mr. Mugabe, something that worries many members of the Zanu PF.
President Mnanagwa told a Zanu-PF Youth League national assembly in Harare that he is “unhappy” with the latest developments and was “investigating” the matter.
“…Currently we see in the media various speculations about his (Mugabe’s) activities. I have no doubt that in no time the facts and reality will be made known… We only take position when the realities and the issues are known and it’s factual.”
Yesterday Fmr President Mugabe met new NPF President Ambrose Mutinhiri who quit Zanu PF last wk. Will Mugabe back him in polls? #zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/JkVYHOIFM6
— Shingai Nyoka (@shingainyoka) March 5, 2018
“But, currently we are not happy with what the media is saying, we don’t know whether it’s correct or not but it’s an issue that we’re examining. The voice of the people is the voice of God. So, if the voice of the people says this is wrong, then we also say it is wrong. If an individual or group of individuals goes against the current of the voice of the people, then we say you’re lost ..,” Mnangagwa added.
Robert Mugabe was forced to resign from power after a military takeover. He was succeeded by Mnangagwa whose sacking as then vice president sparked the revolt.
Last month Mugabe said about the Zanu PF that “They must accept and apologise that what they did was wrong,” as he was quoted by Standard newspaper as saying to his guests during a private party.
Mugabe, 94 said the Zanu PF wants to work with him for the elections due in July, but asked “Can they be trusted again? Can our people vote for such a Zanu-PF, a Zanu-PF which shredded the constitution? I don’t know.”
Source: Africafeeds.com
