FIRST LADY Grace Mugabe yesterday claimed she was offered mansions and a $10 million bribe in a bid to stop President Robert Mugabe from pressing ahead with the land reform programme. MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER
Addressing thousands of party supporters at a “Thank You” rally in Harare yesterday, Grace, however, did not name the people who allegedly tried to bribe her, except to say they were white.
“White people came to me with $10 million to stop the land reform, I said to them don’t ever come back to me,” she said.
“I chucked them out of my office and almost spat at their faces. They thought I was a soft target on land reform. Money from enemies only for your own benefit is not good. Clean money should be brought to all of us because if given to you only, you lose focus and wisdom.”
Grace said the unnamed people thought because she was a young woman, she could be bought easily.
Turning to Zanu PF, she challenged the party to fulfil its election promises, adding that the electorate was angry at the failure to provide services. Grace warned the ruling party could lose seats in next elections if they failed to deliver.
Described as the conqueror of factions by her admirers, the First Lady called on Harare Zanu PF chairperson Amos Midzi and provincial youth chairman Godwin Gomwe to forgive and embrace each other as a sign that she was fighting divisions in Harare.
She described the event as “a new beginning” in Zimbabwean politics. Gomwe and Midzi were fighting along factional lines, with the provincial youth chairman reportedly linked to a team loyal to Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, while Midzi is reportedly linked to the Vice-President Joice Mujuru camp.
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“For things to move forward, we need love, peace and harmony,” she said.
“I hear a lot of people say bad things about me, but as a mother, if a child says something, maybe you are not giving that child attention.”
She then called to the podium Harare South MP and Harare provincial commissar Shadreck Mashayamombe, who reportedly told President Robert Mugabe’s nephew Patrick Zhuwao to find a political home for the First Lady in Mashonaland West province, as she was not welcome in Harare.
The Harare South MP, however, denied ever engaging in such a discussion with Zhuwao.
“I am your mother and President Mugabe is your father,” she said.
“You are human, whether you said it or not, I want to tell you, you are my son, I forgive you. Harare will never be the same again. I love you, let’s work together.”
Grace claimed there were people carrying placards written bad things about her, but they were not allowed into the venue. She said as a mother, she wanted the dissenters brought in as a way to fight factionalism. Grace implored party leaders and supporters to shun factionalism, admitting that Zanu PF leaders at the top were fanning factionalism to the structures.
She said the infighting in Zanu PF was leading to failure by the party to provide service delivery. She said local authorities pushing for the demolition of houses should stop and focus on development.
“People are angry, let’s not fool ourselves,” she said.
“We have the water crisis, the sewer issue. If we stop fighting, if we are sincere about it, we can deliver. We can’t be a party that is good at promises, no. Let’s deliver and let’s give people what we promised them. If we fail to do that, it will be tough for us in the next election.”
