I admire Grace’s style, says ‘Blackman’

AS if to confirm the New Patriotic Front’s close relationship with former First Lady Grace Mugabe, former Kwekwe Central legislator Mr Masango “Blackman” Matambanadzo has said he admired the way she used to conduct her politics, arguing that the party should introduce her “Stop it!” mantra to rebuke wayward party members.

The former First lady was nicknamed “Dr Stop It” for her continued inference of the phrase whenever she was addressing party gatherings and rallies.

There has also been reports from the NPF faction led by Brigadier General Ambrose Mutinhiri (Retired), that Mrs Mugabe, who is angling for a position in the MDC Alliance, was behind the recent split of the party.

Addressing an NPF faction rally in Kwekwe over the weekend, Mr Matambanadzo, who was recently recalled from the Zanu-PF for defecting to the NPF said Mrs Mugabe was his heroine and he would make sure that he introduces her politics style in NPF.

The self-confessed Grade 2 dropout, Mr Matambanadzo, who caused a stir when he spent about 30 minutes delivering his speech while on the shoulders of one of his bodyguards, said he used to admire the way Mrs Mugabe used to reprimand party cadres in the public.

“There was nothing wrong with her (Grace) reprimanding people in public. I liked her ‘Stop it!’ mantra. It worked out well until some people used it against her,” said Mr Matambanadzo.

“I am going to tell anyone in my party in this province to stop it, if you behave waywardly; I am going to tell you to stop it the same manner Dr Grace Mugabe would say it. We should learn good things from her she was a good straight forward politician,” he said.

Addressing the same gathering, NPF spokesperson Mr Jealousy Mawarire also spoke glowingly of the former first family, but insisted they were not returning to active politics.

“We respect Former President Mugabe and his wife Dr Grace Mugabe, but I should make it clear that there is no room for either Grace or her husband in our party structures. Yes, we respect them as icons, but that does not mean they are members of the party,” he said.

He said they were going to engage their alliance partners to iron out the issue of representation.

“We are still to engage our alliance partners on the issue of parliamentary seats. We will be able to comment after we conclude talks,” he said.