President Robert Mugabe kept his Cablegate “spies” guessing on his next move when he skirted debate on the WikiLeaks disclosures at yesterday’s Zanu PF politburo meeting.
The unexpected silence on the explosive betrayal exposé, according to sources close to goings-on in the politburo, may have provided a false sense of security for the unmasked “sellouts”, but it was only a matter of time before the wily old fox struck them right between the eyes.
Party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo told NewsDay last night Zanu PF’s highest decision-making body outside congress had devoted its time to discuss their late colleague Kantibhai Patel’s hero status.
He was unanimously declared a national hero. Patel died in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Saturday and was cremated at Pioneer Cemetery yesterday.
Gumbo — who last week called on those caught up in the WikiLeaks web to “examine their conscience” in preparation for impending punishment — said the party was still concerned about the WikiLeaks disclosures and would take action in due course.
“The matter did not come up for discussion. It was not on the agenda,” said Gumbo. “We are, however, still studying the documents and we will only act after we have finished.”
Zanu PF secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa, who sets the politburo agenda, last week told NewsDay the WikiLeaks revelations would be discussed at yesterday’s politburo meeting.
He went on to set the tone for the meeting when he declared at the weekend while in Mutare that Zanu PF officials alleged to have collaborated with the party’s “enemies” in the secret United States diplomatic cables should go through the party’s disciplinary process and be punished if found guilty of betrayal.
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“The issue of WikiLeaks has become a major challenge for the party. Those that are implicated should go through the normal disciplinary procedures of the party,” Mutasa said at the Manicaland inter-party conference held at Mutare Hall.
It is believed the WikiLeaks issue was dropped from the agenda because President Mugabe was not interested in discussing it for now, choosing instead to keep people anxious.
Mutasa was not answering his mobile phone after the politburo meeting last night.
President Mugabe also avoided discussing the WikiLeaks when he met US Ambassador Charles Ray on Tuesday.
He is, however, said to have been deeply disturbed and angered that some of his most trusted lieutenants were sharing confidential information with his avowed enemies, the Americans – literally stabbing him in the back.
WikiLeaks exposed that many Zanu PF heavyweights were working to unseat President Mugabe from power although they publicly supported him.cables should go through the party’s disciplinary process and be punished if found guilty of betrayal.
“The issue of WikiLeaks has become a major challenge for the party. Those that are implicated should go through the normal disciplinary procedures of the party,” Mutasa said at the Manicaland inter-party conference held at Mutare Hall.
It is believed the WikiLeaks issue was dropped from the agenda because President Mugabe was not interested in discussing it for now, choosing instead to keep people anxious.
Mutasa was not answering his mobile phone after the politburo meeting last night.
President Mugabe also avoided discussing the WikiLeaks issue when he met US Ambassador Charles Ray on Tuesday.
He is, however, said to have been deeply disturbed and angered that some of his most trusted lieutenants were sharing confidential information with his avowed enemies, the Americans – literally stabbing him in the back. WikiLeaks exposed that many Zanu PF heavyweights were working to unseat President Mugabe from power although they publicly supported him.
