Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Victor Maphosa Herald Correspondent
The ZANU-PF Women’s League has warned former president Robert Mugabe against criticising and trying to soil the image of President Mnangagwa and his new administration.

The warning comes on the back of reports carried by the private media, insinuating that Mr Mugabe had castigated President Mnangagwa for deploying security forces to restore order during the recent MDC-orchestrated violence last month.

In a statement yesterday, Zanu-PF secretary for Women’s League Cde Mabel Chinomona reminded Mr Mugabe that President Mnangagwa was in office because the majority of Zimbabweans voted for him.

“Zanu-PF Women’s League wishes to express its discomfort and displeasure at the negative print and electronic media reports attributable to the former President Cde Robert Mugabe, criticising the sitting President of Zimbabwe Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and his administration,” she said.

“We note with concern that the alleged media reports by the former President are calculated to bring instability in the country and put the reputation of the President in disrepute. We need to remind the former President that His Excellency Cde E.D. Mnangagwa is an astute leader, mature unifier who pledges servant leadership and above that, he was constitutionally and unanimously voted as President of this Republic by the majority of Zimbabweans in their diversity,” she said.

Cde Chinomona urged Mr Mugabe to accord President Mnangagwa the same respect that he accorded him during the 37 years he was in power.

“He may be reminded too that even during his presidency, not everything was perfect, but we continued to support him as the Women’s League. We are alive to the machinations of our detractors and enemies, and that gives us strength to continuously support Cde Mnangagwa.”

Cde Chinomona said the Women’s League is convinced that President Mnangagwa will bring development to Zimbabwe.

“We are now in the Second Republic, and a new dispensation, as ZANU-PF Women’s League, we are totally convinced that President Mnangagwa is our messenger of hope, who is poised to bring accelerated development because he is a pragmatic and visionary leader.

“We call upon all women, youth(s) and the nation at large to continue supporting our dear President, whose efforts to rebuild this nation are quite evident. We also note with satisfaction the tireless efforts by President Mnangagwa and his administration to revive the economy, create harmony, promote democracy, peace and uplift the status of women,” she said.

She said the league is humbled by the support given to President Mnangagwa by the President of Botswana, President Mokgweetsi Masisi.

President Masisi was accompanied by six ministers and the First Lady. The inaugural session was preceded by the meetings of the Ministers on 27 February 2019 and senior officials from 25 to 26 February 2019.

During their meeting, the two Heads of State held discussions with the view to further strengthen and depend the bond of friendship and cooperation between Zimbabwe and Botswana.

They also exchanged views on regional, continental and international issues of mutual interests and concern.

The two leaders welcomed the following agreements and Memorandums of Understanding — the Extradition Treaty, MoU on Diplomatic Consultations, the MoU on Rules and Procedures Governing the meeting of the BNC, the MoU on Geology, Mining and Metallurgy, the MoU on Cooperation in the Energy Sector, and the MoU on Cooperation in the field of Science and Technology.

The two Presidents underscored the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding on Geology, Mining and Metallurgy in enhancing cooperation in the mining sector, especially in the diamond industry where Botswana has considerable experience and expertise.

They also noted the importance of the MoU on cooperation in the energy sector in the development and industrialisation efforts of the two countries.

The two Presidents directed the senior officials to expedite the conclusion of the outstanding agreements and MoUs by the midterm review to be held in November 2019. The two Presidents noted the need to increase volumes of trade and investments between their countries. In this regard, they directed that a business forum be convened on the margins of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair to be held in Bulawayo in April 2019.

The two President welcomed Botswana’s decision to consider joining the Kaza uni-visa system as it will assist in the promotion of tourism among the countries involved.

They also noted the commitment by Zimbabwe to support Botswana’s rhino restocking exercise. The two Presidents briefed each other on the political and economic developments in their respective countries. Botswana announced a donation of medical supplies to Zimbabwe, which Zimbabwe welcomed with appreciation and after this session, the consignment is going to be viewed downstairs.

The two leaders also welcomed the statement issued by Sadc, calling for the unconditional lifting of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and noted Botswana’s commitment to continue advocating the removal of sanctions. The two leaders congratulated the people of Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo for holding successful and peaceful elections which demonstrate the democratic maturity not only in the two countries, but the Sadc region as a whole. They noted that elections will also be held in a number of Sadc countries, including in Botswana, Comoros, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa. His Excellency E.D Mnangagwa wished Botswana successful, peaceful, free and fair elections in October 2019.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the achievements made during the inaugural session of the BNC.

His Excellency President Masisi expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him and his delegation. His Excellency President Masisi extended an invitation to his counterpart, His Excellency President Mnangagwa, to the Second Session of the BNC to be held in Botswana in 2020 at a date to be agreed through diplomatic channels.

Signed today Harare, 28 February, 2019.

I thank you Excellencies.