By Own Correspondent| Acknowledging that former president Robert Mugabe remains Zanu Pf’ s most decorated icon and the country’ s founding father, President Emmerson Mnangagwa told party supporters that Mugabe could not walk anymore.
Mnangagwa revealed this at his first “Thank You” rally in his predecessor’s backyard at Murombedzi Growth Point in Zvimba, Mashonaland West.
He pledged to continue looking after the deposed leader whom he described as a “founding father of a free Zimbabwe and liberation icon”.
Said Mnangagwa:
“Allow me to acknowledge you Chief Zvimba……We are here as your leaders after an invitation from Mashonaland West.. On November 24 last year we started the second republic and I was its leader.
The day has coincided with this day at national level where we are meeting here in Mashonaland West for the first time since November 24 2017. I would like to believe that it is not coincidence, but it has a meaning. …..The first battles were also fought here in Mashonaland West at Chinhoyi….But the main word i want to say while on this soil is I want to thank the leadership from 1962 which included Robert Mugabe as leader and commander. We call him (Mugabe) the founding father of the nation of Zimbabwe. He is our founding father of a free Zimbabwe.
There were others who had other thoughts. You are allowed to do that within the confines of your homes with your wives but when you get outside those homes you are supposed to acknowledge him and say he is our founding father.
We thank you Chief Gushungo for giving birth to a liberation icon. Until last year when he was surrounded by the enermies and we kicked them away and he is now free. We are taking the revolution forward. Those who had surrounded him had nothing revolutionary.
The birth of our independence was a result of the armed struggle with a liberation purpose. We are taking care of him (Mugabe). He is old now. Its been two months now and he is in Singapore. He would have come back on October 15 last month but it was communicated that he is not too well and we were told that he needed another month to get better… But word came last night that he is much stronger and will come back on November 30.
He can no longer walk but we will take care of him. Whatever he asks, we will provide. I am saying this while here in Zvimba.”