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Zimbabwe VP refutes accusations he wants to topple Mugabe

Xinhua, July 31, 2016 Adjust font size:

Zimbabwean Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has refuted allegations that he wants to topple President Robert Mugabe who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980.

In his first public comment since the accusations started some few years ago, the VP who has been in Mugabe's government since 1980, said he would always be loyal and stand by Mugabe.

"I re-affirm and pledge as in the past, to defend and stand by the person and legacy of His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of our tried and tested revolutionary party," Mnangagwa said in a speech published by the state-run Sunday Mail newspaper on Sunday.

He continued: "I have in no way, either by acts of commission or omission, sought to arrogate power and authority to myself, away from His Excellency the President and First Secretary, Cde R.G Mugabe."

Mnangagwa's comment comes after Mugabe last week challenged him to rebut the allegations if they are untrue.

Mugabe made the challenge at a meeting with party supporters and after one of his ministers openly accused Mnangagwa of fanning factionalism and trying to usurp power from Mugabe.

In his speech, Mnangagwa rubbished the accusations as "unfounded, unproven and blatant lies" and said those propagating the lies were bent on tarnishing his image.

He also denied accusations that he formed and leads a faction called "Lacoste" that is fighting it out with another faction known as G40 to succeed Mugabe.

Mugabe's party has been rocked by intense infighting in recent years as senior members try to position themselves to succeed him when he eventually leaves power.

Mugabe, who has said he will seek re-election in the 2018 elections when he will be 94, fired his deputy of 10 years Joice Mujuru in 2015 over allegations that she also wanted to topple him from power.

Some former freedom fighters recently attacked Mugabe for poor leadership and urged him to step down.

However, Mugabe has said he will not resign unless if asked to so by his Zanu-PF party. Enditem