Mugabe’s ‘daughter’ bids to end Zanu PF grip on power

ROBERT MUGABE is to face a challenge from his one-time protégé, Joice Mujuru, after the spurned former vice president yesterday launched her manifesto to challenge the ruling party in the next Zimbabwe election.

Mrs Mujuru, who once described herself as Mr Mugabe’s “daughter”, will soon launch her own party, People First, to take on the 91-year-old’s Zanu PF, according to the close ally who oversaw the manifesto release.

The document given to Zimbabwean media calls for a review of the “indigenisation” legislation that has blocked foreign investment for the last decade.

“All persons who call Zimbabwe home shall be entitled to access land and participate in its sustainable utili- sation,” it said. At present no white person can legally own farm land in Zimbabwe.

The prospect of the new party has been welcomed by other political groups in the country, including Zimbabwe’s official opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change.

Mrs Mujuru, 60, was seen as Mr Mugabe’s likely successor until she was sacked as vice president and expelled from the ruling Zanu PF last year after Grace Mugabe, the first lady, accused her of plotting to assassinate the president and stage a coup d’état.

So far Mrs Mujuru has not publicly announced her involvement with the new party. But Rugare Gumbo, a former Zanu PF member who was expelled by Mr Mugabe last year, said: “Be patient, that is coming.”