UNDER fire vice president Joice Mujuru could end up in prison over a plethora of alleged crimes, ranging from corruption, extortion to outright treason, the highest office in the land has warned.
President Robert Mugabe issued the stark warning to his deputy while addressing his Zanu PF party’s 6th elective congress in Harare on Thursday.
Mujuru, seen as frontrunner to take over from Zimbabwe’s only leader since majority rule from Britain 34 year ago, fell out of favour after the revelation of a sinister plot to oust the veteran leader by force was unearthed.
“We banned no one from this gathering it is our congress and they were welcome but they just decided not to pitch up like thieves,” he said.
“It is the behaviour of thieves. We would have loved to see them here with us so that they present themselves to you and explain their actions.”
“We want evidence and, with the knowledge that we have now that I think would fill a lot of books when written, some people will be arrested.
“It does not matter that one is a minister or civil servant; we will fire them and hand them over to the police. Give us the evidence and we will act,” said Mugabe.
Mujuru has not appeared at the congress along with her biggest supporters, party secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa, Labour Minister Nicholas Goche, at least nine provincial chairmen and expelled former party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo.
The vice president and her lieutenants stand accused of cobbling up an elaborate plot that Mugabe claims including seeking “to shoot me”.
“They were collaborating with elements in the MDC-T with promises of funds from their western handlers who had seen an opportunity to have a go at Zanu PF.
“We are happy that we unearthed this plot before time. We are indebted to you for staying vigilant and using constitutional means to remove the dirt in your midst, that is what we wanted and keenly watched out for.
“You kept the information that you had and we began to listen as well as watch their activities once we were made aware that there were secret meetings that included cabinet ministers and chairpersons.
He then thanked his wife Grace for revealing the intimate details of Mujuru and her faction’s illicit activities and the plans to topple him unconstitutionally.
Mugabe said Mujuru and her acolytes had betrayed the mandate given to them by the party, particularly following the 2004 congress where the former Mashonaland Central governor was elevated to the party’s communist style presidium.
“She was supposed to push the cause of women but instead tried to remove the president… baba wemusha….aaah. We have shocking details, some information that you all do not know,” he said.
Mujuru has been engaged in a war of attrition with the party’s legal supremo and Justice Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa to succeed Mugabe.