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Mutasa mum on future

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BELEAGUERED outgoing Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa was yesterday tight–lipped over the future of his political career

BELEAGUERED outgoing Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa was yesterday tight–lipped over the future of his political career and said he would only speak at the end of the month when he returns from South Africa where he is seeking medical attention.

STAFF REPORTER

Mutasa was one of the biggest losers at the just-ended Zanu PF congress after failing to secure a nomination into the politburo after he was accused of allegedly plotting to oust President Robert Mugabe from power.

“Well let me give that [answer] to you when I come to Zimbabwe,” he said.

“I will be back end of this month. I am in Johannesburg at the moment. I have gone there for medication.”

He dismissed claims that he had deliberately absented himself from the party’s indaba, where he was reduced to an ordinary card–carrying member and had to be subjected to ridicule.

In an interview with NewsDay yesterday from Johannesburg, South Africa, Mutasa said he was in the neighbouring country seeking medication.

During the congress, Mugabe told the gathering that Mutasa was in the neighbouring country for medical reasons.

He revealed that he had received a phone call from Mutasa asking for permission to take his following reports of his links to a plot to oust the 90-year-old leader.

Meanwhile, Mugabe told mourners at Dube’s low–key burial ceremony that he had worked with the late hero until the time of his death.

He urged people to draw life-long lessons from the national hero’s political career.

“As we mourn the passing on of this courageous fighter for our freedom, let us draw life-long lessons from his career. He served with loyalty, always standing by his people and for his people. He was not a self-seeker, but searched for common good,” Mugabe said.

“Not once did we get an adverse report suggesting any deviation from the path of principle or integrity.”

Mugabe also took the opportunity to remind white people that Zimbabwe was able to prosper without them.

“We need the lessons of his illustrious life, those of us who often think that Zimbabwe needs a white man to prosper. We need the lessons of his impeccable career, those of us who think setting aside one’s people’s interests in order to win white goodwill marks modernity and better leadership.”

Mugabe said Dube joined Zapu and became its representative to the United Nations.

“He also covered South America, with his mandate broadening to cover the United Kingdom, Scandinavian countries and the whole of Western Europe,” Mugabe said. “It took a lot for the likes of Kotsho Dube to subordinate their elitist education and careers to the demands of the struggle.”

“Some would simply reject any such invitations, hiding their educated heads into the sand of their highly rewarding professions. Others would turn very hostile to the cause of nationalism, castigating those involved as ‘ignoramuses’, as ‘men of brawn’. They would end up collaborating with the white establishment against their own people.”

Dube was appointed ambassador and served from France, covering Spain, Portugal, the Vatican and UNESCO.

Between 1997 and 2000, Dube was a member of the board of directors of the Zimbabwe Investment Centre as well as vice-chairman of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation board. In the period 2002 to 2004 he was appointed ambassador to Nigeria and later on to Zambia between 2004 and 2006.