FORMER vice-president Joice Mujuru says she bitterly feels President Robert Mugabe used her for years and later dumped her from her senior positions in Zanu PF and government after also loyally serving for 42 years, having started working for the ruling party in the middle of a fierce liberation war at a tender age of 17.
Mujuru — who has kept stoic silence after she was unceremoniously booted out of the Zanu PF presidium and state vice-presidency following turmoil which rocked the party ahead of its controversial congress last December — told the Zimbabwe Independent this week she feels betrayed by Mugabe because of how far back they came from and the way she was treated.
Mujuru also feels used and abused by Mugabe, his wife Grace and their supporters who have called her names and hounded her out of her positions amid a political storm and accusations of corruption as well as assassination plots she vehemently denies.
Speaking exclusively to the Independent, Mujuru said she and her husband the late retired army commander General Solomon Mujuru backed Mugabe and other senior party members who arrived in Mozambique from 1975 onwards from prison to intensify the liberation war against Ian Smith’s Rhodesian regime.
“We (together with Solomon, her late husband who was a retired army commander) and others were used as their ladder to the top and now we have been discarded like scrubs (cleaning items),” Mujuru said.
“But I don’t feel hurt by the persistent attacks directed at me by both President Mugabe and his wife because the person they are describing is not me. Actually, I feel embarrassed on their behalf because that is not the way I was brought up.”
Mujuru said she is, however, pained by the way Mugabe and others are treating her after her sacrifices to liberate the country and service in the government.
“I crossed into Mozambique in 1973 to join the war and people like President Mugabe, Edgar Tekere and Oppah Muchinguri later came in 1975 to find us at the front. Everyone knows this, including VaMugabe. The General (Mujuru) asked me to help people like Muchinguri because she did not want to be with us in the camps,” she said.
Despite that Mugabe ganged up with his wife and supporters to attack and abuse her at the height of Zanu PF’s vicious succession battle, Mujuru says she bears no grudge against them and those who ascended at her expense.
Mujuru was replaced as vice-president by Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa. Her allies were ruthlessly purged from party structures and government. The witch-hunts continue unabated.
“I have no hard feelings about what they (Mugabe and others) did to be at the top. God made it so … God is the reason why even in pain I smile, in confusion I understand, in betrayal I trust and in fear I continue to fight,” Mujuru said.
Mujuru’s allies, former Zanu PF heavyweights Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo, however, say Mugabe, Mnangagwa and others rose through blatant subversion of the party constitution and related processes. They are challenging the legality of the Zanu PF congress and its resolutions in court.
Asked what her future political plans are and if she would contest in the next presidential elections in 2018 since many in Zanu PF say she has a huge social base and following, Mujuru said: “Only God knows. I am not losing any sleep over that. Even President Mugabe always says that leaders come from the people.”
After joining the struggle as a teenager and later becoming a cabinet minister at Independence in 1980 until last year when she was unceremoniously fired under a litany of accusations, Mujuru says she did not deserve the brutal attacks and abuse she has been viciously subjected to.
When Mugabe and the likes of Tekere arrived in Mozambique in 1975, she was one of the combatants who helped them settle in amid serious resistance from senior Zanla High command figures led by Wilfred Mhanda.
Mujuru’s husband played a decisive role in enabling Mugabe to take control of Zanla troops and camps as well as the party which at the time was divided and locked in internal strife in an explosive way.
In his book, Dzino: Memories of a Freedom Fighter, Mhanda explicitly narrates how General Mujuru “sold out” so that Mugabe could take over.
“Without that historical ‘sell out’ in Beira, Mozambique, in January 1977, Mugabe and the old nationalist guard might have been relegated to the dustbin of history in favour of Machingura and his Zimbabwe People’s Army (Zipa) ‘revolutionaries’, hardly three years before Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980,” reads part of the book.
It was also General Mujuru’s intervention again in 1978 that saved the day not only for Mugabe and the old nationalist guard, but also for Zanla commander Josiah Tongogara. This was during the purported “coup” attempt led by Joseph Taderera which subsequently implicated the former Dare ReChimurenga members, namely Rugare Gumbo, Henry Hamadziripi and Kumbirai Kangai.
Mujuru says she feels seriously let down by Mugabe whom she did not only support in his ascendancy to the top, but also respected as a father figure and someone who helped her to rise from being a barely literate ex-combatant to a cabinet minister, and later vice-president before her ignominious expulsion.
Last year, Chrispen Mataire, a senior veteran of the liberation struggle who was part of Mhanda group that was barricaded in dungeons until Independence for opposing Mugabe, wrote in the Independent that by 1975 Mujuru was already third in command at Chibavava-Toronga camp where Mugabe and other officials were first introduced to the troops.
When Mugabe and Tekere arrived in Mozambique, they were initially quarantined because Zanla commanders and even the late Mozambican president Samora Machel were suspicious of them. Samora wanted senior Zanla commanders to take over the struggle like he did with Frelimo to become civilian leaders after Independence.
Upon her controversial entrance into mainstream politics during her countrywide “meet-the-people rallies” last year, Grace claimed, among other stinging allegations, Mujuru was corrupt, extorted companies and wanted to assassinate Mugabe.
However, Mujuru this week again intensely denied the allegations, saying they were false.
“I have nothing to do with all those companies. They are just being targeted for nothing. Zanu PF is chasing shadows and groping in the dark for anything they can use to attack and bring me down,” she said.
Mujuru says despite all the attacks, she remains loyal to Zanu PF as she served the party since she was a teenager and was ready to defend herself before its relevant structures or in any court of law so long as due process is followed.
Commenting her relations with Grace and Muchinguri, the main architects of her dramatic downfall, Mujuru said: “I have nothing in common with her (Grace),” adding, “Muchinguri knows the role I played in her life to be where she is.”
Asked what was happening on her alleged corruption investigations, Mujuru said only her accusers and indicters should be able to answer that.
“They (Mugabe and Zanu PF) should have an answer to that question. Why would they be scared of an ordinary, simple widow like me to whom they can say whatever they want when they want to?” she said. – Independent
22 Replies to “Mugabe Abused Me for Years – Mujuru”
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“Righteous Justice”, you must be one of those busybody religious fanatics who have appointed themselves God’s spokesman yet have a very shallow understanding of the bible!! Are you not afraid of abusing God’s name when the Bible cautions not to use His name in vain??!! Are you claiming that you have a direct line straight to God?? If not, how can you confidently say God knows that the legitimate president of Zim is MT??!! Are you implying that God does not mind at all that Tsvangison went on an unchecked spree of impregnating girls & women, divorcing some of them after a record 12 days of “marriage”??!! Are you saying that God is OK with s/one who sold out his own country [by inviting sanctions] so that he could get into power??!! You surely must be a dedicated follower of that deranged satanist from Kenya [Malumo] who masquerades as a “man of God” coz he also “prophesied” that Mugabe would die to pave way for MT to take over, blissfully ignorant of what the Zim constitution says about an incumbent president dying in office!! Even if you consider yourself “religious”, pliz know that your thoughts & ways are NOT the same as God’s!!
“Righteous Justice”, you must be one of those busybody religious fanatics who have appointed themselves God’s spokesman yet have a very shallow understanding of the bible!! Are you not afraid of abusing God’s name when the Bible cautions not to use His name in vain??!! Are you claiming that you have a direct line straight to God?? If not, how can you confidently say God knows that the legitimate president of Zim is MT??!! Are you implying that God does not mind at all that Tsvangison went on an unchecked spree of impregnating girls & women, divorcing some of them after a record 12 days of “marriage”??!! Are you saying that God is OK with s/one who sold out his own country [by inviting sanctions] so that he could get into power??!! You surely must be a dedicated follower of that deranged satanist from Kenya [Malumo] who masquerades as a “man of God” coz he also “prophesied” that Mugabe would die to pave way for MT to take over, blissfully ignorant of what the Zim constitution says about an incumbent president dying in office!! Even if you consider yourself “religious”, pliz know that your thoughts & ways are NOT the same as God’s!!
Something doesn’t add up with this story…if Joyce Mujuru was only 17 in 1973 when she joined the liberation struggle, and Mugabe & Tekere came in 1975, what significant assistance could she have rendered to Mugabe at the age of 19??!! One person who could have realistically assisted is Rex Nhongo coz he was already high up the military ranks. But Rex and Joyce are two distinct persons, so technically, it’s not correct for Joyce to claim that she was one of the people used as a “ladder” by Mugabe on his way up.
Furthermore, I remember Gushungo recounting how Rex came to tell him of the intention to marry Joyce: the late general was known as a womaniser, so Mugabe made Rex promise that he wouldn’t use and dump “his daughter” [meaning Joyce]. In other words, Mugabe cared for her interests as a father would for his own daughter.
Something doesn’t add up with this story…if Joyce Mujuru was only 17 in 1973 when she joined the liberation struggle, and Mugabe & Tekere came in 1975, what significant assistance could she have rendered to Mugabe at the age of 19??!! One person who could have realistically assisted is Rex Nhongo coz he was already high up the military ranks. But Rex and Joyce are two distinct persons, so technically, it’s not correct for Joyce to claim that she was one of the people used as a “ladder” by Mugabe on his way up.
Furthermore, I remember Gushungo recounting how Rex came to tell him of the intention to marry Joyce: the late general was known as a womaniser, so Mugabe made Rex promise that he wouldn’t use and dump “his daughter” [meaning Joyce]. In other words, Mugabe cared for her interests as a father would for his own daughter.
Yes Zimbabweans are simpletons but the biggest ones are Mugabe and his cronies!
Yes Zimbabweans are simpletons but the biggest ones are Mugabe and his cronies!
Zimbabweans are simpletons
Zimbabweans are simpletons
She never fought anything. She was a house girl wa Mai Tongogara. Hanzi I went there in 1973 and Mugabe came in 1975 what ignorance. AIbvepi Mugabe? Aigara Mu mansion kana Mu hotel ndokuzo decider kuenda ku Moza? Usati wazvarwa angu Arica mumatrenches. Inga you are a simpleton. Ana Mugabe vakafanana kuma late 50’s wiz outer made na Rex aibva ku zapu? Wakaenda in 1973 Mugabe achipika here for 11 years when he was jailed you were probably 8 years old or less. He gave your husband the general position made you a minister when you were not qualified at all. All the jobs you held were because of Mugabe yet unqualified but you say you were used for what benefit when you were an uneducated Minister from the age of 25 .
She never fought anything. She was a house girl wa Mai Tongogara. Hanzi I went there in 1973 and Mugabe came in 1975 what ignorance. AIbvepi Mugabe? Aigara Mu mansion kana Mu hotel ndokuzo decider kuenda ku Moza? Usati wazvarwa angu Arica mumatrenches. Inga you are a simpleton. Ana Mugabe vakafanana kuma late 50’s wiz outer made na Rex aibva ku zapu? Wakaenda in 1973 Mugabe achipika here for 11 years when he was jailed you were probably 8 years old or less. He gave your husband the general position made you a minister when you were not qualified at all. All the jobs you held were because of Mugabe yet unqualified but you say you were used for what benefit when you were an uneducated Minister from the age of 25 .
Mai Mujuru is as much part of the Zanu PF dictatorship as Mugabe himself. Was she not in power for 34 years because the party did not hold free and fair elections? She is only bitching about Mugabe because she was booted out of the dictatorship.
Mai Mujuru is as much part of the Zanu PF dictatorship as Mugabe himself. Was she not in power for 34 years because the party did not hold free and fair elections? She is only bitching about Mugabe because she was booted out of the dictatorship.
Ko wakadini kubvunza zve vana va Solomin Mujuru and the missing Will.The unregistered Estate since she is knowledgeable of the rules and laws of the country for a vice president to take 4 years without registration. A complete violation of the same rules she purports to uphold. Poor professionalism. Self directed interview. agenda based interview. pathetic. She sounds and want us believe she is a victim. yet she sleeps well and eats well yet there are poor souls going to bed without a meal. She is very punitive and vindictive. She never lived Solomon the way she purports now. Never. A parasite and chancer like all of the rest. How else would she behave if appointed the president. Should clean house first before you claim national responsibility. .
Ko wakadini kubvunza zve vana va Solomin Mujuru and the missing Will.The unregistered Estate since she is knowledgeable of the rules and laws of the country for a vice president to take 4 years without registration. A complete violation of the same rules she purports to uphold. Poor professionalism. Self directed interview. agenda based interview. pathetic. She sounds and want us believe she is a victim. yet she sleeps well and eats well yet there are poor souls going to bed without a meal. She is very punitive and vindictive. She never lived Solomon the way she purports now. Never. A parasite and chancer like all of the rest. How else would she behave if appointed the president. Should clean house first before you claim national responsibility. .
What is sad and tragic about Mai Mujuru’s whole interview is that she never once
referred to the ordinary freedom fighters and povo and their aspirations for
freedom, justice, liberty and human rights and dignity and a meaningful share
in the nation’s economic wealth and how all these people’s aspirations were systematically denied. All she has talked about is the fight for power before independence and after.
Asked what her future political plans are and if she would contest in the next
presidential elections in 2018 since many in Zanu PF say she has a huge social
base and following, Mujuru said: “Only God knows. I am not losing any sleep over that. Even President Mugabe always says that leaders come from the people.”
So you really think the nation is that stupid they would elect in free, fair and
credible elections the same individual who has set in government for 34 years
and never spoke a world against all the mismanagement and corruption that has
destroyed the nation’s economy leaving millions out of work and destitute.
Mai Mujuru and her late husband were amongst some of the wealthiest individuals in the country. Both had no known talents other than being some of the most
corrupt individuals in the country.
Vote for the same individual who sat like a cabbage and said nothing against all the political oppression, the beatings and rape, the vote rigging and the murder of
over 30 000 innocent Zimbabweans.
Mai Mujuru, you can dream of holding high office but be rest assured, you will
never again hold high office.
In a country where 16% or 2 million people are already living in abject poverty as a result of 35 years of criminal waste of the nation’s material and human
resources by a corrupt and tyrannical regime of which you were a senior member
until a few months ago; you should know that you and all the other members of
the regime will be expected to give up most of your looted wealth to pull the impoverished millions out of despair.
What is sad and tragic about Mai Mujuru’s whole interview is that she never once
referred to the ordinary freedom fighters and povo and their aspirations for
freedom, justice, liberty and human rights and dignity and a meaningful share
in the nation’s economic wealth and how all these people’s aspirations were systematically denied. All she has talked about is the fight for power before independence and after.
Asked what her future political plans are and if she would contest in the next
presidential elections in 2018 since many in Zanu PF say she has a huge social
base and following, Mujuru said: “Only God knows. I am not losing any sleep over that. Even President Mugabe always says that leaders come from the people.”
So you really think the nation is that stupid they would elect in free, fair and
credible elections the same individual who has set in government for 34 years
and never spoke a world against all the mismanagement and corruption that has
destroyed the nation’s economy leaving millions out of work and destitute.
Mai Mujuru and her late husband were amongst some of the wealthiest individuals in the country. Both had no known talents other than being some of the most
corrupt individuals in the country.
Vote for the same individual who sat like a cabbage and said nothing against all the political oppression, the beatings and rape, the vote rigging and the murder of
over 30 000 innocent Zimbabweans.
Mai Mujuru, you can dream of holding high office but be rest assured, you will
never again hold high office.
In a country where 16% or 2 million people are already living in abject poverty as a result of 35 years of criminal waste of the nation’s material and human
resources by a corrupt and tyrannical regime of which you were a senior member
until a few months ago; you should know that you and all the other members of
the regime will be expected to give up most of your looted wealth to pull the impoverished millions out of despair.
IF YOU PLAY WITH TIGERS THEY WITH SCRATCH U AT TYME!!!
IF YOU PLAY WITH TIGERS THEY WITH SCRATCH U AT TYME!!!
My dear Mai Mujuru. he has abused us all. The whole nation. It is sad that those of you who have knelt at the altar of RGM have taken so long to find out who he really is. God knows that he is NOT the legitimate president of Zimbabwe. MT is! God knows that. And I think you know it too. You see God will not be mocked. Your way forward, like mine, is on our knees and repenting of all our personal sin. ZPF is far from a godly party. there is guilty written all over them. I pray they will repent before it is too late. You are better off outside of that party who has killed, maimed, plundered, kidnapped, rigged elections, lied, hated, oppressed, promoted bitterness and unforgiveness and much, much more. I pray for you: that the Lord will draw you unto Him and chart your way forward-not ZPF!
My dear Mai Mujuru. he has abused us all. The whole nation. It is sad that those of you who have knelt at the altar of RGM have taken so long to find out who he really is. God knows that he is NOT the legitimate president of Zimbabwe. MT is! God knows that. And I think you know it too. You see God will not be mocked. Your way forward, like mine, is on our knees and repenting of all our personal sin. ZPF is far from a godly party. there is guilty written all over them. I pray they will repent before it is too late. You are better off outside of that party who has killed, maimed, plundered, kidnapped, rigged elections, lied, hated, oppressed, promoted bitterness and unforgiveness and much, much more. I pray for you: that the Lord will draw you unto Him and chart your way forward-not ZPF!
Where is the general’s WILL????? She likes to sound like an angel.
Where is the general’s WILL????? She likes to sound like an angel.