Zimbabwe’s 92-year old President Robert Mugabe has received endorsement for his 2018 presidential candidacy from Zanu-PF’s leadership in Masvingo Province.
Speaking to the media after a closed-door meeting at Masvingo Polytechnic yesterday, Zanu-PF’s acting chairman in Masvingo Province Mr. Cde Amasa Nhenjana said the province has full confidence in Mugabe’s leadership.
“We support President Mugabe and the First Family and we also support his candidature for the 2018 elections,” Nhenjana said.
He further hinted that the decision to endorse Mugabe came in the wake of rumors that some members of Zanu-PF, the ruling party, were against the leadership of President Mugabe.
“We were disturbed by messages claiming that Masvingo no longer supported the President and the First Family,” he added.
Nhenjana went further to dismiss claims that Masvingo Province had endorsed the current Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa as the party’s candidate, adding that Masvingo is only loyal to one center of power, President Robert Mugabe.
Until God Says Come
President Mugabe, who is one of the longest serving presidents in the world, has been in power since 1987 after being re-elected several times amid allegations of widespread voter intimidation and vote-rigging.
Mugabe has always told off critics who think he has overstayed in power. In his hour-long speech at this year’s African Union Summit in January, Mugabe attacked the US and other western countries, asking them to shut their mouths.
“I will be there until God said come, and join the others. But as long as I am still alive, I’ll still have the punch.” ~ President Robert Mugabe
Poverty in Zimbabwe
According to economic indicators, Zimbabwe’s economy has continued to deteriorate over the years, with massive company closures and employee layoffs.
A study done by the World Bank in conjunction with the United Nations made shocking revelations of massive poverty in Zimbabwe, with rates over 90 percent in many parts of the country like Nkayi, Lupane and Gokwe.
Currently, Mugabe’s government is embroiled in a legal showdown with foreign investors after it introduced a law requiring all foreign-owned firms in Zimbabwe to relinquish 51 percent of their shares to native Zimbabweans.
The law is viewed by many as an effort by Mugabe’s administration to intimidate foreign investors, which is likely to force foreigners out of business, causing a further economic slump.
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