PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe yesterday took a swipe at “promiscuous MDC-T officials”, and implored them to formalise their polygamous relationships than engage in immoral activities.
REPORT BY JOHN NYASHANU
Mugabe made the remarks at the National Heroes’ Acre while addressing mourners attending the burial of Zanu PF founding member Eric Gwanzura, who died in Chegutu last Monday.
In a veiled attack directed at MDC-T leader and former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, Mugabe said: “If you want to be a polygamist, then do it properly and in a dignified way, not what is happening in MDC. I do not want to divulge who exactly I mean, but that is what is happening in that party — dating multiple partners.”
Tsvangirai was linked to a number of women following the death of his wife Susan in 2009, before settling for Zanu PF central committee member Joseph Macheka’s daughter Elizabeth, whom he married customarily last year.
Gwanzura was a polygamist with three wives.
Some of the women Tsvangirai allegedly dated include businesswoman Locardia Karimatsenga–Tembo, South African Nosipho Regina Shilubane and 21-year-old Loreta Nyathi from Bulawayo with whom he has a son.
Contacted for comment, MDC-T national spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora accused Mugabe of delving into trivial issues at the expense of addressing serious national challenges such as the current economic meltdown.
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“Zimbabweans need jobs, and a betterment of their economic life. They also need election promises to be fulfilled and access to their money. President Mugabe must give us answers and not create diversions,” Mwonora said.
As has become characteristic of him, Mugabe delivered a lengthy graveside eulogy which lasted for one hour and 20 minutes, with the bulk of the speech premised on the history of the liberation struggle.
A builder by profession, Gwanzura helped found the National Democratic Party in 1960 and also became a founder member of Zanu in 1963.
Between 1985 and 1990 he served as senator before his appointment to the party’s central committee. Gwanzura was a blood brother of Senate President Edna Madzongwe.
