BY EVERSON MUSHAVA THE relationship between the ruling Zanu PF party and its sister liberation movement — African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa — is on a cliffhanger after the latter revealed yesterday that it had had enough of the Harare regime’s antics characterised by “threats and blackmail”.
“You can’t always have a neighbour that is always blackmailing you,” ANC national chairman Gwede Mantashe tweeted following threats by Zanu PF director of information Tafadzwa Mugwadi to ‘expose’ ANC’s alleged sinister agenda which necessitated its two visits to Harare last year.
“This relationship with Zimbabwe (Zanu PF) is always filled with threats and blackmail. I don’t like that. If Zanu PF wants to spill the beans on our meeting with them, they must. I am eager to hear what they want to spill,” he charged.
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) January 11, 2021
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He was referring to two meetings held in Harare by the two parties last year to resolve Zimbabwe’s political and economic crises.
South Africa’s Finance minister Tito Mboweni weighed in, tweeting: “I wish the President could just allow me nyana to tackle that turncoat @TafadzwaMugwadi @Sophie_Mokoena @tyengeni1954 @pulemabe.”
He added: “In fact, ANC chairperson, @GwedeMantashe1 should have said that the relationship is abusive! This must be stopped! It must end!”
In fact ANC Chairperson, @GwedeMantashe1 should have said that the relationship is ABUSIVE! This must be stopped! It must end! @tyengeni1954 @LindiweZulu6 @pulemabe @Sophie_Mokoena @MYANC
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) January 11, 2021
Last August, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa dispatched three envoys to meet Zanu PF in an effort to resolve the country’s political and economic crises amid fears that problems in Harare could destabilise the southern African region.
However, Zanu PF insisted that the country was not in a crisis.
I wish the President could just allow me nyana to tackle that turncoat @Tafadzwa Mugwadi. @Sophie_Mokoena @tyengeni1954 @pulemabe
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) January 11, 2021
Last week, Mugwadi singled out SABC correspondent Sophie Mukoena accusing her of filing fake stories about President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration. He courted a diplomatic tiff with the ANC leadership when he threatened to “leak a bombshell on why the ANC delegation came (to Harare)”.
This forced Ramaphosa to respond during an interview with the SABC on Saturday, daring Mugwadi to come out in the open with his “bombshell” and reveal the “real reason” which he claimed was behind his party’s visit to Zimbabwe last year.
In fact ANC Chairperson, @GwedeMantashe1 should have said that the relationship is ABUSIVE! This must be stopped! It must end! @tyengeni1954 @LindiweZulu6 @pulemabe @Sophie_Mokoena @MYANC
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) January 11, 2021
Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday chose to downplay the fallout, saying: “There are no alarm bells at all, we continue as we were. There is nothing alarming. We will continue to relate as we have always done. We have cordial relations with our colleagues, there is no problem at all. We don’t worry about anything; we have one common destiny which we want to push for economic emancipation.”
On Sunday, Khaya Moyo said Zanu PF would take disciplinary action against Mugwadi over his unsavoury remarks.
“A communiqué was issued on the constructive two-day meeting by the two fraternal parties and indeed these meetings will continue in the future. Nothing was amiss and necessary measures will be taken by Zanu PF concerning those involved in this matter,” Khaya Moyo said.
Ramaphosa says Zanu-PF spokesperson should drop his ’bombshell’ over ANC trip https://t.co/FtTtmNt6pW
— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) January 11, 2021
“The President and first secretary of Zanu PF Cde ED Mnangagwa, the President of the ANC Cde CM Ramaphosa called each other in high esteem and no one should attempt to soil this fraternal relationship. We are one people sharing a common liberation history, culture and destiny.”
Zanu PF Twitter moles also joined the debate, some calling for the dismissal of Mugwadi from the party.
Mugwadi was once saved by top officials when the party wanted him sacked for using crude language in an interview with Aljazeera.
This is the best that ZanuPF can do in front of an international audience. The party’s Tafadzwa Mugwadi saying “fuck you” on air
Link to Al Jazeera debate https://t.co/l1lObuMFI5 pic.twitter.com/UmBhigWgku
— Zim Media Review (@ZimMediaReview) August 18, 2020