BREAKING: Grace tells Mugabe to name successor; Demands VP post for women

Grace says Mugabe is about to go for good

Mnangagwa watchout! Grace says Zim needs a new President; A female deputy

Harare: The First Lady and Zanu PF Secretary for Women’s Affairs Amai Dr Grace Mugabe has urged President Robert Mugabe to name his successor saying this has been the trend in other countries.

Addressing the Women’s league National Assembly meeting at the Zanu PF headquarters in Harare this Thursday, Dr Mugabe said there is nothing wrong with Mugabe naming his successor, adding that the move will enable all members to rally behind one candidate.

Using the biblical story of Adonija who organised a feast to crown himself because his father the king was sick, Amai Mugabe said the President has the right to be involved in naming his successor, saying the President’s word is final.

The Zanu PF Women’s League boss also took a swipe at those who have no respect for seniors in the party who are swaying other cadres using money from their foreign bases.

She strongly urged women to desist from factionalism and stick to the party principle of one centre of power.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the Women’s League earlier, Joyce Kasinamunda declared President Mugabe the Zanu PF presidential candidate for 2018 and that the First Lady should also remain Secretary for the Women’s League.

Kasinamunda expressed gratitude to Amai for Command Agriculture and requested that the First Lady conducts interface rallies in the provinces to meet the women.

The event was not attended by VP Mnangagwa supporters known as Team Lacoste.

Instead, it was their rivals in the  G40 faction who witnessed the priceless and unprecedented declaration.

Notable G40 figures who attended the occasion include Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, National Political Commissar  Saviour Kasukuwere, Secretary for Administration  Ignatius Chombo,  Defense Minister and presidential hopeful Sydney Sekeramayi.

‘One of the VPs should be a woman’

Amai Mugabe called for the amendment of Article 7.1.b of the Zanu PF constitution to reinstate the provision that one of the two vice presidents and second secretary shall be a woman.

She also raised a number of concerns including the call for 50 -50 gender representation in key decision-making positions in public institutions.

She said the Zanu PF constitution should be aligned to the national constitution to allow for the 50-50 representation in the party positions.

Grace is rumoured to be pushing for defense Minister Sydney Sekeramayi to succeed her husband at the expense of Justice Minister Mnangwa. zbc/ zwnews.com