Themba Mliswa
OUSTED former Zanu PF Hurungwe West Chairman Themba Mliswa says he has quit politics for good, amid reports that he was planning to return to the faction ridden party.
Mliswa lost his position and ultimately his membership in the ruling party together with former Vice President Joice Mujuru, former Presidential Affairs Minister Didymus Mutasa and former party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo, after they were expelled for allegedly plotting to depose President Robert Mugabe.
Addressing journalists in Bulawayo over the weekend, Mliswa, who has embarked on a countrywide tour meeting youths as he tries to set up structures for his organisation, Youth Advocacy for Reform and Democracy (Yard), said he was done with Zanu PF.
“I will never come back to Zanu PF; it is in its intensive care unit right now and I will never want to go into that situation. I will never go back to a party which is violent.
“I have people, relatives who were beaten up who today are still nursing serious injuries,” said Mliswa.
“As a matter of principle I cannot sell out on that. They (Zanu PF) would love me to come back, they definitely miss me but I don’t miss them either I think it’s just good for me where I am and doing the things that I am doing.”
The firebrand politician added that he was quitting politics, to concentrate on his organisation.
“I will not go back to politics, never again. I am done, I am so done. I say so honestly and I never go back on what I say. I am out of politics, totally,” he said.
Mliswa also tore into the Zanu PF people’s congress, saying the amendment of the ruling party’s constitution had reduced it to just a gathering.
“Zanu PF no longer needs to wait for the congress to fire anyone because the powers are within the President to fire anyone any time.
“When they fired Mujuru, congress was important because she came about through a congress but after the last congress the constitution was then amended where one now serves at the pleasure of the President which means he can fire anyone anytime,” he said.
He added: “So, basically there is no need to wait for the conference or congress because the constitution allows for that.”
Mliswa urged Zanu PF to stop fighting and turn attention to the ailing economy especially at the upcoming December congress to be held in Victoria Falls. NewZimbabwe.com
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