PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe yesterday launched a shock tirade against “promiscuous MDC-T leaders” saying they should formalise their polygamous marriages. JOHN NYASHANU STAFF REPORTER
Speaking at the burial of Zanu PF founding member Eric Gwanzura at the Heroes’ Acre in Harare, Mugabe devoted much of his speech to attacking the West before taking a surprise dig at the MDC-T.
Although he did not mention names, the veteran ruler who has in the past attacked his Zanu PF lieutenants for being promiscuous, appeared to be aiming his guns at former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
“If you want to be a polygamist, then do it properly and in a dignified way, not what is happening in MDC,” he said.
“I don’t want to divulge who exactly I mean, but that is what is happening in that party — dating multiple partners.”
Tsvangirai was linked to a number of women following the death of his wife Susan in 2009, before settling for Zanu PF central committee member Joseph Macheka’s daughter Elizabeth, whom he married last year.
Some of the women Tsvangirai allegedly dated include businesswoman Locardia Karimatsenga–Tembo, South African Nosipho Regina Shilubane and Loreta Nyathi from Bulawayo.
MDC-T national spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora accused Mugabe of dwelling on trivia at the expense of serious national challenges such as the current economic meltdown.
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“Zimbabweans need jobs and a betterment of their economy,” he said. “They also need election promises to be fulfilled and access to their money.
“President Mugabe must give us answers and not to create diversions.”
At the height of Tsvangirai’s marital problems, the 89-year-old leader came to his rival’s rescue by ordering State security agents and State media to stop interfering with Tsvangirai’s private life.
Mugabe early this year admitted that he was engaged in an adulterous relationship with his wife Grace while his first wife Sally was battling a kidney ailment.
He delivered a lengthy graveside eulogy which lasted one hour 20 minutes, with the bulk of the speech centred on the history of the liberation struggle.
Gwanzura was a polygamist with three wives.
A builder by profession, Gwanzura helped founding the National Democratic Party in 1960 and became a founder member of Zanu in 1963.
Between 1985 and 1990 he served as senator before his appointment to the party’s central committee.
Gwanzura was a blood brother to Senate president Edna Madzongwe.
