First Lady Grace Mugabe has said her husband Robert Mugabe may choose her as his successor when the 91-year-old Zimbabwean president leader decides to leave office. “I cannot be counted out,” Grace, 50, told a rally Friday in Masvingo province. “President Mugabe has the prerogative of choosing his successor.”
ALSO READ – Grace: Mnangagwa Is My Junior
Her statement appeared to contradict remarks she made at a Nov. 20 political rally that she had no presidential ambitions. The southern African nation is scheduled to hold presidential and parliamentary elections in 2018.
Known by her critics as the “First Shopper” and “Gucci Grace,” for what they say is her extravagant lifestyle, Grace Mugabe has built support among a group of senior ruling party officials known as Generation-40 because most of them are in their 40s and played no role in Zimbabwe’s war for independence.
Her main adversary in a run for the top job is the vice president and deputy leader of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who previously served as state security and defense minister.
“We can’t afford to have a leader who isn’t popular or we will lose elections,” Grace said. “Mugabe is an old man at 91 and we’ll be carrying him in a wheelbarrow to address people because he is still the best person to lead the country.”
Doubts about Mugabe’s competence increased in September when he read the wrong speech at the opening of parliament without realising he had delivered the same address a few weeks earlier.
While Zimbabwe’s economy is stagnating, with slumping consumer demand pushing the country into deflation and 83% of government expenditure going on civil servant wages, “Given the level of factionalism in ZANU-PF, there is no force strong enough to oust him,” Mark Rosenberg, Africa director at New York-based Eurasia Group, said by phone at that time from Johannesburg. “If he doesn’t die in office and he steps down beforehand, he will try to control the process as much as possible and will probably succeed.” Mail and Guardian
3 Replies to “Grace Confirms Presidential Shoot”
Comments are closed.
Whats happening to Zimbabwe.
Are we going to the stone age or are we dull and scared by this typist Grace
I am now planning to pack my bags and want to leave Zimbabwe.
If people like Chiyangwa are elected to a position like this then for sure this country has really gone to the dogs.
Phillip who does not know what FIFA stood for then its really the beginning of the end.
Next will be a husband grabber the typist who will be the leader of this country.
My foot where are we going to.
Please can someone tell me ……
aren’t they any courageous brave educated Zimbabweans around.
Do you mean all the people in ZANU PF are dull and scared og this typist Grace.
Come on ……
Can we wake up
Are there any real men.left in ZPF or are they all wearing their wives skirts. I’m disgusted that it has come down to this. No one remotely attached to ZPF should be allowed anywhere any leadership in zim
I reserve my comments.