First Lady Grace Mugabe has denied mounting speculation that growing demands by the Zanu PF Women’s League for women to be represented in the presidium mean that they want to remove one of the Vice Presidents, Emmerson Mnangagwa or Phelekezela Mphoko.
Speaking at a Women’s League National Assembly meeting in Harare on Friday, Grace Mugabe said the league was solidly behind the VPs’ leadership. Her remarks however represent a huge climb down from her vicious political rallies were she openly insulted Mnangagwa’s presidential ambitions.
“Your Excellency, just to put the record straight, our resolution was misunderstood and misinterpreted. The resolution was never meant to dispense with anyone. On this note, I wish to assure ubaba uVice Presidents and Second Secretary, Cdes Mnangagwa and Mphoko that you have our full support,” the First Lady said on Friday.
During the 15th National Annual People’s Conference in Victoria Falls last year, the Women’s League resolved to push for the amendment of party’s constitution to allow for the appointment of a female Vice President.
They wanted Article 7 (1) (b) of the ruling party’s constitution amended to reinstate the previous provision that one of the two VPs and Second Secretary shall be a woman. This was conveniently dispensed with when Mugabe wanted to get rid of his then Vice President Joice Mujuru on untested allegations that she wanted to assassinate him and take power.
The women gave the party up to the end of this year to effect the amendment ahead of the 2019 Congress. It was not immediately clear why the First Lady is now singing a different tune but there are suggestions Mnangagwa enjoys the support of the military in the country and this has potentially derailed the First Lady’s own presidential ambitions
“It is gratifying to note that amongst our National Assembly members are women, whom you elevated to positions of decision-making both in the Party and Government, to promote gender equity as well as to dilute the male-dominated political space.
“In this regard, Cde President, on behalf of members of the Women’s League National Assembly and on my own behalf, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for your invaluable support.
“Furthermore, we appreciate the initiatives undertaken by Government under your (President Mugabe) wise stewardship in transforming the lives of women in Zimbabwe through progressive policies and legislation enacted since 1980,” Grace Mugabe said.
