The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Farawo and Tafadzwa Kadani
ZIMBABWE People First leader Dr Joice Mujuru told a rally in Harare yesterday that she was traumatised by her ouster from Zanu-PF, indicating she reluctantly joined the ranks of the country’s opposition parties.MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai and other political parties reportedly snubbed Dr Mujuru’s invitation to attend the rally, with only People’s Democratic Party officials Messrs Willias Madzimure and Jacob Mafume showing up.
Mr Mafume said ZimPF spokesperson Mr Jealousy Mawarire invited them to the rally, but the latter denied this.
“We did not invite anyone, they come on their own. But we are open to work with progressive democratic Zimbabweans,” said Mr Mawarire.
He dismissed reports that Mr Tsvangirai snubbed the rally saying, “We all know that Tsvangirai is not feeling well, so when Dr Mujuru went to see him it was not about this rally but to be with him during this difficult time.
“Remember these people worked together during the inclusive Government and naturally people make relations.”
But Mr Mafume said, “We were invited and we felt it was important for us to work together for the development of our country. The problems we are facing as a country have gone beyond individuals and we need to support all initiatives to form a coalition.”
Dr Mujuru and her acolytes – like former Presidential Affairs Minister Dydimus Mutasa, ex-Zanu-PF spokesperson Mr Rugare Gumbo and sacked Energy Minister Dzikamai Mavhaire – were fired from Zanu-PF for plotting to topple President Mugabe.
Yesterday, Dr Mujuru thanked her sympathisers for standing by her during her disgrace.
“When I left Zanu-PF it was difficult and traumatic. Those were trying times and I want to thank you for your prayers and support, it was truly amazing. We are a party that believes in democracy and equal representation regardless of gender, race or political affiliation,” she said.
The former Vice-President stressed the importance of respecting those who fought for Zimbabwe’s liberation.
She added: “We must always encourage each other to discuss issues when we have disagreements; this is a free country in which we must allow divergent views,” said Mujuru, adding “We are not an extension of Zanu-PF and get it from me; I am not going back to Zanu-PF.”
The muted turnout in Harare yesterday followed another lukewarm rally in Bulawayo a week earlier, one which some senior members of her own party failed to attend.
