OUTSPOKEN Member of Parliament-elect for Hurungwe West, Temba Mliswa, says 89-year-old President Robert Mugabe would have handed over power a long time ago if Zanu PF had capable leadership within its ranks to take over.
Report by Blessed Mhlanga
Addressing journalists at a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Mliswa said the Zanu PF old guard had failed to endear themselves with the people leaving Mugabe with no option, but to hold on to power in order to keep the party alive.
“We (the young Turks) are now receiving the baton straight from President Mugabe when, in fact, that baton should have been handed down generations before us. He (Mugabe) could not hand over that baton because there was nobody in the party to receive it. This is basically why I joined politics,” said Mliswa.
The former sports administrator, who has been arrested a record 64 times over allegations of corruption among other charges, said young Turks who are business-minded had entered the race to ensure that Zanu PF delivered to the people.
“They (old guard) were more concerned about their own businesses and forgot about the people. This is why we joined politics to perfect what is there and provide leadership so that Zanu PF has more than just two-thirds majority in the next elections,” he said.
Asked if he had ambitions to take over the baton from Mugabe, Mliswa maintained that if Zanu PF had competent leadership Mugabe would have retired.
“Definitely if there was someone to receive the baton he would have handed it over. I have no interest of receiving the baton because I am only in politics for just five years, then after that I will start a church. That’s my prayer to God,” he said.
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Mugabe will today be sworn in as President of Zimbabwe for the eighth time.
Mliswa, who is stepping down from the helm of Zimbabwe Economic Empowerment Council, also challenged government and its ministers to stop paying lip service to the indigenisation programme.
“They talk about indigenisation of foreign banks, but taking 51% of Barclays Bank will not help the economy. The Zanu PF government cannot afford to fight business. We have to go to bed with them,” said Mliswa.
“If you ask government and its ministers where they are banking, you will see that they are banking with those foreign-owned banks and shunning the indigenous banks. That is why they are collapsing. Ministers and government should walk the talk.”
