The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani News Editor
MINISTER of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Dr Chris Mushohwe, says he does not take any offence from misplaced attacks from Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial youth leadership over his alleged failure to defend President Mugabe from attacks by expelled war veterans among other people.
Recently Zanu-PF provincial youth chairman, Cde Mubuso Chinguno, told a Provincial Co-ordinating Committee meeting that as the youth league they were not happy with Dr Mushohwe’s silence when President Mugabe was being attacked by the likes of Messrs Victor Matemadanda, Douglas Mahiya and Energy Mutodi as well as Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators Association’s provincial chairperson, Ms Angeline Mponda.
“When Julius Malema attacked President Mugabe, Dr Mushohwe did a very good job in defending President Mugabe. As the party’s foot soldiers we are worried when Dr Mushohwe remains quiet when President Mugabe is being attacked by the likes of Matemadanda, Mahiya, Mutodi and Mponda,” said Cde Chinguno.
Speaking on the sidelines of the First Lady, Dr Amai Grace Mugabe’s meet the people rally in Buhera last Friday, Dr Mushohwe, said: “I do not take offence of these misplaced attacks by the youths. I am the chief Government and Presidential spokesperson and I only comment on Government issues. We have a party spokesperson who comments on party issues, a reason why after our Politburo meetings, the party spokesperson addresses the media.
“People should distinguish party and Government business. When Malema attacked President Mugabe, he said there are young cadres in Zanu-PF who are brave to take over from the President and we wanted him to come out clean on those allegations.
Who are these so-called young leaders who are ready to take over from President Mugabe?
“As a Government spokesperson, I cannot respond to any utterances from misguided elements,” said Dr Mushohwe.
He added: “If the youths are really genuine, why did they not come to me and discuss the issue rather than rushing to the private media to make such utterances? Who do they want to please? I am old enough to understand how the party and Government functions. I don’t take any offence.
“They think that I am supposed to sit in an editorial room and edit everything that comes out in the Press. It does not work like that. I just read the paper like anyone else. I believe in quiet diplomacy,” he said.
Dr Mushohwe said President Mugabe’s warning against taking party issues to the media was falling on deaf ears.
“President Mugabe has continuously warned against young party members attacking elders, but this is being ignored. The same applies to taking party issues to the media especially the social media. Why continue doing that and who are you pleasing? Zanu-PF has conflict resolution mechanisms and we should we use them,” said Dr Mushohwe.
