The recent launch of Zimbabwe Peoples First has stirred debate among Zimbabweans from all walks of life with some saying,party President Joice Mujuru was part of the system which destroyed the economy while others perceive her as the solution to Zimbabwe’s dilemmas.
By Philemon Jambaya
Since her ouster from the ruling party, Zanu PF about one and a half years ago the former Vice-President Mujuru has been quiet on her political ambitions with only the media and her close allies spreading rumours about the new political outfit.
It was on the first day of March 2016 when Mujuru emerged from hibernation and came face to face with Zimbabweans who have been eagerly waiting to see her next move.
Although there was ululation from a cross section of people who witnessed the birth of the party some content that Mujuru should apologize to Zimbabweans for her prior association with the President Robert Mugabe’s administration which is always linked to the downfall of the former bread basket of Africa, Zimbabwe.
“We welcome her in opposition politics but she should apologize to the nation because she was part of the system which destroyed the economy,” said Tapera Matambanadzo.
Some said that they were sceptical about the former Vice President’s sincerity and suggested that she might re-join Mugabe; hence she should be handled with care.
“Mujuru should not be taken seriously ,just like Jonathan Moyo or Dzikamai Mavhaire who went back to Zanu PF , she has to prove that this is not a Zanu PF project, because we are tired of these CIO projects,” one Kudakwashe Mapungwana suggested.
Independent political analyst Wellington Zindove believes that Mujuru should be accepted regardless of her past association with Mugabe adding that her grant entry in the political arena brings in a new zest.
“Mujuru definitely brings in some new zeal the much needed life and energy in the Zimbabwe’s pro democratic forces which have been at their lowest ebb since the 2013 ‘shocking’ elections.
“Some gatekeepers still believe that her official entry in opposition politics is a non-event because she has been with Zanu PF but I think she has to be judged from her present efforts and not based on her past,” he said.
Present at the launch of People First Party were several former Zanu PF members who included Didymus Mutasa, Rugare Gumbo, Sylvester Nguni, Dzikamai Mavhaire, Bright Matonga, Retired Colonel Claudius Makova, Retired Major Kudzai Mbudzi, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Ambassador John Shumba Mvundura and former ZBC General Finance Manager, Retired Brigadier General Elliot Kasu.
