Share

Don't mess with my family - Mugabe

Harare - Zimbabwe's president warned against messing with his family, amid a heated debate within the ruling party about his wife's entry into politics.

Robert Mugabe's 49-year-old wife Grace accepted a nomination last month to lead the ruling party's women's wing, triggering accusations that Mugabe aims to establish a political dynasty.

"I heard that someone tasked my nephew to tell Mrs Mugabe to leave Harare. Where do you want her to go?" Mugabe told hundreds of cheering youths bused to the Harare International Airport to welcome him back from a visit to China. "We don't want such arrogance."

Mugabe was referring to claims by his nephew and Zanu-PF politician Patrick Zhuwawo that some party members unhappy with Grace's rising political profile had asked him to find an alternative "political home" for her other than the capital, Harare.

The Zanu-PF Women's League said they hope Mrs Mugabe can advance women's issues and help heal factionalism because she has "the president's ear." Her 90-year-old husband will have to approve her nomination in December during the party congress.

Mugabe, who has ruled since 1980 and won re-election in a disputed poll in July 2013, has already accepted a proposal by the women's wing to be the party's candidate for the 2018 election. He will be 94 by then. Politicians have been jockeying for position to succeed him.

Mugabe was in China seeking support for his country's struggling economy.

The government has cut forecasts of economic growth for 2014 by half to 3.1 percent; the World Bank predicts economic growth of only 2 percent. Hundreds of companies have closed in the past year. Tens of thousands of Zimbabweans have fled economic hardships in recent years, settling mainly in former colonial power Britain and in South Africa.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Do you think corruption-accused National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula will survive a motion of no confidence against her?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
No, her days are numbered
41% - 498 votes
Yes, the ANC caucus will protect her
59% - 704 votes
Vote
Rand - Dollar
18.91
+0.1%
Rand - Pound
23.87
+0.1%
Rand - Euro
20.37
+0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.31
+0.2%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE