Kasukuwere laughs off coup rumours

FORMER Zanu PF national commissar Saviour Kasukuwere has denied accusations of plotting a coup against President Emmerson Mnangagwa

“The allegations are that myself, along with other individuals are peddling rumours on an alleged coup plot,” Kasukuwere said in a statement yesterday.

“This is laughable and I deny this unfounded allegation levelled against me and dismiss it with the contempt it deserves."

Kasukuwere was last week named by Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe among people plotting a coup against the embattled Mnangagwa, whose government is struggling to revive the country's economy and combat corruption.

Kazembe, flanked by Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri and service chiefs, also singled out MDC Alliance deputy national chairman Job Sikhala among those plotting insurgency in the country, backed by Western embassies, churches and civil society organisations.

The Home Affairs minister, however, vowed that there would be no repeat of the November 2017 coup that toppled the late former leader Robert Mugabe and ushered in Mnangagwa.

But Kasukuwere said: "I make this statement in response to the allegations contained in a Press statement released by the government of Zimbabwe, as read by Minister of Home Affairs, Kazembe Kazembe on June 10 2020.

"I am a firm believer in constitutionalism and would never attempt or conspire to carry out a coup of any sort. I myself; am a victim of the November 2017 coup (and) retain the scars of this horrific event," he said.

He added: "Our nation has greater challenges that behove us all to rise beyond narrow interests and place the collective security and survival of our people at the centre of governance.

"Threats and efforts to eliminate those viewed as adversaries to the powers-thatbe are unfortunate and should have no place in a democratic Zimbabwe. The nation faces a plethora of difficulties that require a united front in order to secure the collective interests of the people of Zimbabwe."

MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzai Mahere last week said the attack on party leaders and linking others to an “imminent” coup to oust Mnangagwa was a declaration of outright war to effectively silence the opposition.