‘We forgave Mujuru’

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THE family of the late Father Zimbabwe, Joshua Nkomo, say they have forgiven Vice-President Joice Mujuru for saying their father was senile and have advised the Zanu PF government against expending their energies on her and instead concentrate on the economy.

THE family of the late Father Zimbabwe, Joshua Nkomo, say they have forgiven Vice-President Joice Mujuru for saying their father was senile and have advised the Zanu PF government against expending their energies on her and instead concentrate on the economy.

NQOBANI NDLOVU STAFF REPORTER

Mujuru courted nationwide ire when she said Nkomo was senile after the late vice-president questioned why she was hell bent on denying Econet a licence, but the family say the incident, which occurred more than a decade ago, is water under the bridge.

late Father Zimbabwe, Joshua Nkomo,
late Father Zimbabwe, Joshua Nkomo,

Nkomo’s only surviving son, Sibangilizwe, said the family was more concerned about the welfare of Zimbabweans than Zanu PF’s internal fights, pointing out that they had nothing against Mujuru, despite her remarks to his father.

“The sooner Zanu PF stops their mudslinging and focuses on finding solutions facing the nation, the better for all of us,” he said.

“We (Nkomo family) are not worried about their infighting and their affairs, we are worried about the welfare of Zimbabweans.”

Mujuru angered many when she described the late vice-president as senile, after the veteran nationalist supported Econet Wireless boss Strive Masiyiwa in a fight to get a telecommunications licence.

 Econet Wireless boss Strive Masiyiwa
Econet Wireless boss Strive Masiyiwa

Masiyiwa has written how Nkomo helped him, expressing his gratitude to the late nationalist.

Analysts accuse Zanu PF of having a lackadaisical approach to the problems the country is facing, among them the continued closure of companies, yet it is sprightly to factionalism and fighting for positions ahead of the party’s congress, which begins today.

A number of ministers were recently accused of “absconding” from work to follow First Lady Grace Mugabe in her nationwide rallies.

Nkomo said Zimbabweans were suffering and needed lasting solutions to their problems. He said the people were not interested in Zanu PF’s squabbles.

“Whatever happened in the past is history and is in the past,” he said.

“We are a nation building and a forgiving family and will not want to focus on things that reopen old wounds.

“We are looking at the bigger picture — the welfare of Zimbabwean and not on personalities.”