Zimbabwean war veterans have denounced former president Robert Mugabe for sending his “innocent” daughter Bona to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s inauguration on Sunday, says a report.
Watch videos of Bona at Mnangagwa's inauguration below.
In a surprise letter of congratulations to Mnangagwa on his inauguration as president, Mugabe said that he too was unwell and could not attend the ceremony.
“Your Excellency, thank you for your invitation to me and my wife to attend the inauguration ceremony. My wife is not well in Singapore and also I am not well,” the letter said.
Mnangagwa read out the letter just before he made his inauguration speech to tens of thousands of supporters at Harare’s National Sports Stadium, reports the state-run Herald.
But, according to New Zimbabwe.com, the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association spokesperson Douglas Mahiya, criticised the former president, saying he was behaving like a “spoiled child.”
“Mugabe understands the dynamics and politics of the revolution and he must stop acting like a spoilt child. He thinks sending his daughter to attend our president’s inauguration ceremony is enough,” Mahiya was quoted as saying.
Mahiya said Mugabe’s gesture was still not enough to atone for his misdemeanours, the report said.
“Bona is just an innocent girl child who is not into politics and her husband Simba is a foreigner to us; mukuwasha (he is a son-in-law)."
Mahiya said the former president should also publicly apologise for denouncing Mnangagwa on the eve of the July 30 polls.
Mugabe held a surprise press conference at his home - just a day before elections kicked off - at which he stunned observers, and called for voters to reject Zanu-PF party, his former party, reported AFP.
Mugabe even hinted at the time that he could vote for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa.
Former President Mugabe's daughter Bona Mugabe Chikore and President of the Senate Edna Madzongwe share a lighter moment during @edmnangagwa 's inauguration ceremony.#EDinauguration pic.twitter.com/RUsf9wQYrd
— The FeedZW (@TheFeedZW) August 26, 2018
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Renowned G40 loyalist Kudzai Chipanga&Bona Mugabe r in attendance .... Going beyond politics...putting e country 1st. @Team_Chamisa culd borrow a leaf or 2 fr this! #EDinauguration #EDmyPresident @NgwenaTeam @TeamED2018 @YLZANUPF1 @ProfJNMoyo @TeamG40 @MDCAllianceZW pic.twitter.com/JpQjWytGKr
— rungano dzikira (@ruedzikira) August 26, 2018