THE thawing of hitherto frosty relations between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and predecessor Robert Mugabe continued following the death of former First Lady Grace’s mother late Thursday.
In a moving condolence message, Mnangagwa implored Zimbabweans to stand with Mugabe and his family in their hour of need.
“I learnt with sadness of the death last night (Thursday) of Ambuya Marufu mother to our former First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe and mother-in-law Cde RG Mugabe,” said Mnangagwa.
“This sorrowful development visits us at a time when the Mugabes are not well with Amai Mugabe away in Singapore where she has been receiving medical attention.
“My heart goes out to the family. I urge our entire nation to stand with and rally behind the Marufu and Mugabe families, so their sorrows are assuaged and made bearable.”
Until November last year, Mnangagwa had worked as Mugabe’s deputy but was fired as the internal power struggles in Zanu PF exploded into full scale warfare.
The military moved in and placed the then president under house arrest, allowing a dramatic change of leadership in the party and government.
Mugabe was forced into resignation, before Mnangagwa waltzed to power on return from brief exile in South Africa.
Relations soured even further in late July after Mugabe announced he was throwing his lot with the opposition, preferring MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa to Mnangagwa.
The new Zanu PF leader reacted angrily coming short of describing Mugabe and Chamisa’s new found relationship as an axis of evil.
However, following Mnangagwa’s controversial election victory and the subsequent confirmation by the Constitutional Court which threw out Chamisa’s challenge Mugabe seemed to have capitulated, and congratulated his former protege for his victory and sent his daughter Bona to grace the event.
Mnangagwa has also threatened to strip Mugabe of his multiple farms.-NewZim
