On the left is Zimbabwe’s deputy President Emmerson Mnangagwa and President Robert Mugabe
Themba Mliswa, a former party chairman of the Mashonaland West Province where Mugabe hails from, said the 92-year-old leader should pave way for deputy president Emmerson Mnangagwa to take-over and revive the economy.
The tough-talking Mliswa, who was ousted from Mugabe’s Zanu (PF) in 2014 in the wake of factionalism in the ruling party, argued the deputy president had the backing of former freedom fighters, the military and the international community.
“Zanu (PF)’s solution to the economic problem is for the President to step down and Mnangagwa, who is the most senior, to take over,” Mliswa said as he addressed journalists in Harare.
He said if Mnangagwa took over, he would stop the country “bleeding” and end people’s suffering.
“We must be cognisant that the people are suffering,” Mliswa said.
Mliswa is the MP for Norton, where he recently won ahead of Zanu (PF) as an independent candidate.
Mliswa’s sentiments come at a time Mugabe has already whipped critics within his party to abandon any succession.
Despite claims by international media Mugabe wishes to step down, the nonagenarian leader has shown keenness to contest 2018 elections despite his advanced age. He will be 94.
Veterans of the 1970s liberation struggle longtime allies of Mugabe, have insisted they will not support his candidature, preferring Mnangagwa.
Some Mugabe allies have previously called on him to quit but have been expelled from the party.
– CAJ News
