Didymus Mutasa meets Mnangagwa, reaches out to Mugabe

Harare: Former Zanu-PF secretary for Administration Mr Didymus Mutasa is free to meet President Mugabe or rejoin Zanu-PF, but should do so openly without trying to put on a brave political face, Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba has said.

Mr Mutasa was expelled from Zanu-PF for coalescing with former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru, who was also fired from the revolutionary party on account of plotting to unseat President Mugabe unconstitutionally.

Dr Mujuru went on to form Zimbabwe People First party, where Mr Mutasa was roped in as an elder without substantive and clearly defined roles.

They soon parted ways, with Dr Mujuru forming the National People’s Party. Mr Charamba told The Herald yesterday that Mr Mutasa approached the Office of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa seeking to make contact with President Mugabe.

“We have been following reports on Cde Mutasa, particularly claims of his present condition which suggests hard times,” said Mr Charamba.

“Of particular note has been his wish to meet with the President. I want to indicate to Cde Mutasa – he does not have to beat about the bush if it is the wish and desire to reconnect with the President. He must do so straight forwardly and without putting on a politically brave face.

“He knows the President’s character and personality and much more importantly he knows the President’s light heartedness and besides he is appreciated as a person who made a significant contribution to the struggle to the extent that whatever misjudgements might have overtaken him cannot take away from that contribution.

Reports suggest that Mutasa is facing numerous challenges in his life. Recently, his properties that include a Range Rover vehicle were attached for failing to settle legal fees accrued when he was fighting his expulsion from Zanu-PF.

By his own admission, Cde Mutasa is so broke that he is even failing to settle his electricity bills. state media