OPPOSITION Zapu leader Sibangilizwe Nkomo has rapped President Emmerson Mnangagwa following a desperate plea for protection the latter made to Russian leader Vladmir Putin during his recent visit to St Petersburg.
Mnangagwa was captured on camera pleading with Putin to assist him as Zimbabwe was being isolated by the Western world, adding that the United States and its allies were “favouring” Zambia and Malawi.
In a statement at the weekend, Zapu acting spokesperson Brian Ncube said the opposition party was deeply disturbed by Mnangagwa’s leadership.
He said Zimbabwe had a lot of problems which were a serious setback to the country’s development and economic recovery such as “a captured President, State institutions and undiplomatic leader who could not be trusted”.
“Compounding the country’s problems, the President recently had an embarrassing diplomatic gaffe in Russia, accusing a neighbouring country of threatening his security owing to Zambia’s foreign policy.
“Mnangagwa, in his lack of wisdom, tried in vain to misrepresent himself to Russia’s President Putin by insinuating that he does not deal with the West.
“The Zimbabwean President, who probably has deceit as part of his DNA, forgot how he has publicly begged the Commonwealth to readmit him on several times.”
He said Mnangagwa was not aware of the close ties between Russia and Zambia.
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“He was not aware of how Zambia is a beneficiary of economically viable and mutual credit lines from Russia. Mnangagwa could not realise that Zambia is a trustworthy partner of Russia and the country does not hide its relations with the West or China,” Ncube said.
He said Zambia also did not hide its relations with Russia, but that the neighbouring country dealt with the respective worlds based on her interests and people’s needs.
Ncube said there was also rampant corruption involving people in Mnangagwa’s administration.
“While the country was still trying to understand how a dubious so-called businessman, one Wicknell Chivayo, became part of Mnangagwa’s delegation during the latest edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair even welcoming a foreign head of State, we were shocked by his alleged bragging about how he has the country’s President captured and under his control,” he said.
“We were treated to deep revelations as to how Chivayo benefits economically owing to his proximity and control of Mnangagwa. The revelations only confirmed what was always on display, that of a highly compromised President who cannot hide his dealings with economic criminals. It is confirmation of the long held suspicion that Chivayo is Mnangagwa’s runner who handles the President’s business errands.”
