Mugabe says the so-called succession rift between Grace and Mnangagwa is “rubbish for the dustbin”

President Robert Mugabe has described the so-called battle for succession between his wife and Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the creation of “thankless minds” and should therefore be taken for what it is- “rubbish for the dustbin”.

Addressing the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front central committee in Harare yesterday Mugabe said the opposition and the private media had nothing to talk about so they had created something.

“It’s Mnangagwa and the First Lady going at each other in order to take care of themselves before what they call succession. It may be also some women in Manicaland said to be going for each other for the dominance of the province or perhaps in support of the fictitious factions of Mnangagwa on one hand and the First Lady on the other. Yes, we get annoyed and irritated by those allegations made against us but what do you expect to get from the opposition and its sponsors? They’ve no programmes to sell to the people, no ideas any more to talk about,” he was quoted by The Chronicle as saying.

“But we were not born yesterday and so, we know how to take these jibes, allegations and lies that are manufactured every night and published every morning.  We take them for what they’re — rubbish for the dustbin!”

Mnangagwa and Grace Mugabe are said to be at each other’s throats with a group of Young Turks within the party allegedly backing Grace because they do not want Mnangagwa to be president.

Grace has repeatedly said she is happy being First Lady and has no presidential ambitions.

The absence of Mnangagwa at the rallies Grace is currently addressing has fuelled the rumours about the rift as she has been accompanied by the other Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko.

But it appears that this was just a division of duties as Mnangagwa has to attend to government business while Mphoko is out, and on Wednesday Mnangagwa said he could answer any questions to do with government business in the absence of several ministers who were allegedly attending Grace’s rally in Mashonaland Central.

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