President Robert Mugabe today fired his deputy Joice Mujuru and as well as one of his previously most trusted lieutenants Didymus Mutasa in a purge of all those who allegedly plotted against him with Mujuru. Others fired were: Webster Shamu , Simbarashe Mudarikwa, Francis Nhema, Olivia Muchena and Nicholas Goche. The dismissal of Dzikamai Mavhaire and Munacho Mutezo had been announced earlier. Mujuru issued a statement throught he private media that she remained loyal to Mugabe but had not attended the party congress because she feared for her life. “Towards the 6th Zanu PF Congress, the forces at work in the party realised that I was not and would not resign any of my public or party positions on flimsy or contrived grounds. Therefore, their strategy moved from being one of persistent denigration and defamation in the national state media and newspapers, to one of direct threats against my person and life,” she said in a statement. “My agents were wrongfully and unlawfully prevented from submitting my nomination papers for the Congress and subsequently the state media and newspapers advised me that my life and person was at risk if I attended the Congress. In the interests of public order, and given that this unprecedented “screening” of delegates was unchallenged by the Party Leadership, I decided to stay away from the inevitable public humiliation as was meted out to other unfortunate members of the Party . I made my fears known to the Party Leadership. It was important to maintain the dignity of the office of the Vice President even in the face of such unwarranted violence by a section the party membership.” Mugabe is meeting the party’s central committee tomorrow to announce a new politburo.
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It had been long coming. I thought governance by public lynching was a thing of the past?