NewsDay provides continued live coverage of First Lady Grace Mugabe’s ‘Meet the People’ rallies.
Blessed Mhlanga
Grace is now at Mataga in Mberengwa. For the first time she is accompanied by both Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko. Mnagagwa is also accompanied by his wife Auxillia.
15:02: Charamba explains Mphoko’s early departure stating that the Vice President and his son left for security reasons.
15:00: Gwena now takes to the podium. He sings praise to Grace for preaching the message of unity.
14:41 :The address ends with Grace asking for prayer for good health. She closes the address with a song.
14:35 Russell Goreraza donates sugar,salt and cooking oil
14:34: 8 000 litres of cooking oil and in second hand clothing bath soaps and washing soap tractors.
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14:31: As Grace who appeared to be concluding her speech but now starts attacking America for the Iraq invasion.
14:31: I have enough to give 10 000 people. 130 tonnes of rice and 350 tonnes of maize
14:22 Grace says she is now madzimai Grace.
14:19: Mayor Wadyejena can’t stop fighting and jumping in celebation as Grace says Mnangagwa is her boss.
14:16: Those who wear miniskirts are castigated by the First Lady. “if you are raped it is your fault! ” she says
14:12 Grace calls for the re-opening of Sandawana Emerald mine, Inyala Chrome mine and Buchwa iron mine,for job creation for the youths.
14:00:Grace affirms she “…does not usurp power,it is her right to meet with her ‘family’ as the Women’s League there is nothing wrong with me doing that.”
13:50:“Tractors are going to be received from Belarus to be given to A2 farmers,” Grace announces.
13:48: People can stand the scorching heat and start leaving. Kasukuwere asks people to seat and listen to “Amai”
13:41:Grace tells villagers that they cannot understand how rains are formed or how industrialisation affects climate change tells them its too scientific for them.
13:39:Grace repeats claim that she refused to receive $10 million in bribes from the West.
“Nadakamutuka murungu iyeye ndikamuti get out of my office …ndaida kutomukicker bhutsu!.”
13:28 Women are encouraged by Grace to teach children about the history of the country.
“Ana amai munofanirwa kudzidzisa vana history ye nyika kuitira kuti vazive kuti Zimbabwe yakauya sei…zvese izvi hatifanirwi kuzvikanganwa!”
She tells the crowd to shun Rugare Gumbo calling him a traitor ,”Rugare Gumbo ainetsa kubvira kunguva ye hondo. Mutengesi! ”
13:30 The First Lady says the purpose of the rallies is to remind the supporters that they should support the ruling party and admits that is has been difficult for the party to win urban seats as opposed to rural ones.
13:29: ” Mugabe is suffering on behalf of Zimbabweans,” says Grace. She says when he left prison going to Mozambique he wore shoes in the wrong feet and walked for a long distance
13:19: Grace in climb down as she says she does not give the Vice Presidents instructions but only gives them concerns from the women’s league.
13:14: The Women’s League boss insists that she works closely with both Vice Presidents contrary to reports by the media.
13:10: Grace expresses her gratitude to the supporters for their overwhelming support for walking long distances to attend the rally. She came by plane seeing villagers homes dotted far from each other
13:08:Grace jokingly reprimands Vice President Mphoko for not stating her totem which. She says she wants to ‘discipline’ him.
13:06: Grace takes to the podium. She is given a royal welcome with a chanter being brought to exalt her.
13:00: Mphoko denounces tribalism saying it is the root of corruption.
13:00:Kasukuwere now chooses Mphoko to introduce Grace ahead of Mnangagwa.
12:54: Midlands Minister of State Jason Machaya says “If you see Grace you have seen President Robert Mugabe.”
12:51: The sloganeering continues
12:45: Auxillia Mnangwagwa takes to the dance floor to sing before chanting slogans
12:40 Shuvai Mahofa receives a standing ovation as she is introduced.
12:36: Kasukuwere takes to the podium and denounces Tsvangirai.
12:27: New tractors are lined up here as it appears the First Lady will continue to dish out government implements.
12:24: Acting Chairman for Midlands Province Kizito Chivamba misses the name of Vice President Mphoko and calls him ‘Mboko’. He is forced to make a correction. “Kwaitwa correction Kuno its Mphoko,”he says.
