A FORMER British Cabinet minister has claimed President Robert Mugabe was preparing for an endgame, suggesting the end was nigh for the long-time ruler, but this has drawn a strong response from Zimbabwe.
BY OBEY MANAYITI
Peter Mandelson suggested Mugabe’s rule was nearing its end, but predicted chaos if Zimbabwe did not receive a bailout.
According to an article published by The Express (UK), Mandelson warned the British government of a “crisis that threatens to unfold soon”, saying the international community must “establish the right incentives for reformers”.
But, Presidential spokesperson, George Charamba, yesterday dismissed Mandelson, who was in Zimbabwe in February on a much-criticised trip, as a daydreamer.
“Why do you want to be told about Zimbabwe by people who come from Britain?” he said, shooting down Mandelson’s forecasts.
Zanu PF youth secretary, Kudzanai Chipanga also dismissed Mandelson’s remarks as “wishful thinking”.
“What’s new about that? What endgame is he talking about? The British have been saying a lot of things on Zimbabwe since the 1990s. People must not listen to what he is saying,” he fumed.
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“Are the British super gods, who can predict a person’s lifespan? We are sick and tired of their stupid analysis.
That person should shut up and go to hell. They must know that we are not British citizens and that our President was put in power by his people.”
Mandelson said Mugabe’s succession had gripped Zimbabwe and dominated every facet of life.
“Any discussion of business — or indeed most aspects of life — was inevitably a discussion of politics and the intense speculation and manoeuvring over the succession to Mugabe is dominating,” he said.
“It is clear that the endgame is underway, and the battle is being vociferously played out in the Zimbabwean Press.
“Less clear is how it will end and who will prevail — and whether it will play out while the President is still alive.”
The British politician also spoke about the current cash crisis, saying it would have an impact on the functioning of the economy.
He said Zimbabwe needed “encouragement, debt restructuring and an injection of additional liquidity”.
MDC-T spokesperson, Obert Gutu said Mandelson’s prediction of a Zanu PF endgame was spot-on.
“It’s pretty obvious that we are going through the endgame for the beleaguered Zanu PF regime. No rocket science is needed to appreciate that the Zanu PF regime is crumbling and that a new political dispensation is beckoning in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Mugabe will be turning 93 in less than four months, with his party insisting he is still able to go on, despite persistent rumours about his ill health.
