FIRST Lady Grace Mugabe yesterday revealed, for the first time since she was nominated to be the Zanu PF Women’s League boss, that she is aiming for a higher post, telling party members that women can take over the party, in one of her hard-hitting speeches yet. Tatenda Chitagu Own Correspondent
Addressing over 30 000 supporters, most of them bussed to her rally at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo, Grace, who suggested she was President Robert Mugabe’s apprentice, said her elevation and ambition should not come as a surprise as she had been learning the ropes all along.
“You would see me quiet, a young girl, what did you think I was doing? I was learning,” she said.
“So what is shocking you today? You made me what I am, I was copying from you.
“You are not supposed to be shocked. I am seeing a higher post. If you are not serious, women will take over the party.”
Grace then broke into a song, in which she said she was aiming for the top post.
She warned of a looming purge in Zanu PF in the event of a Cabinet reshuffle.
“Some of you here were called (by Mugabe) and were warned, but you did not listen,” she said.
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“But if you do not listen, you know what’s next.
“There are many people who can take the job that you have.
“You are a crook. If you harden your head, what if the person you are fighting for loses, what will you do? Isn’t that person was given the post?
“If that person is fired, where will you go? When it ends, some people will suffer strokes.”
Carrying on with her tradition of not naming the subjects of her vitriolic attacks, Grace warned that the day of reckoning was nigh.
“Other people have been in political oblivion, but still they do not want to repent,” she said.
The First Lady continued making threats to unspecified people, warning they should not play with fire, lest they be burnt.
“You only realise after something has befallen you and others say you brought this upon yourself,” she continued.
Grace saved her venomous attack for those angling to succeed her husband.
“Most people were being spoon-fed by my husband. He worked for them, yet today you hear them saying they want to rule the country,” she said.
“Are you able to rule? Leave us alone, you are disgusting, you are not able to rule the country.”
Grace claimed the unnamed people had been riding on Mugabe’s back for years, yet now they were saying the president is old, in remarks many think were aimed at Vice-President Joice Mujuru.
Her one-and-a-half speech was anchored on blasting factionalism as she made veiled attacks on a faction believed to be led by the vice-president.
Grace alleged that some top officials were receiving money from the British and Americans to effect leadership change in Zanu PF.
“There are others who are selling the country, we are aware of it. Others are bribing the women’s league,” she claimed, before delving into one of her husband’s favourite themes.
“We know you are receiving millions and we will expose where this money is coming from. You are receiving money from the British and the Americans.”
She warned that those receiving money would pay for it as the money was meant to dislodge Mugabe from power, so whoever came into power would give back farms to the whites, “but we are watching you”, Grace added ominously.
