Zimbabwe war vets say Grace Mugabe behind new cabinet

Zimbabwe war veterans say the powerful first lady Grace Mugabe is behind the latest cabinet reshuffle by president Robert Mugabe.

The controversy started when Mugabe fired three ministers this week accusing them of being loyal to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and appointed new ones.

The veterans reassured Grace will be prevented from succeeding the 93-year-old president. They insisted that they wanted one of theirs to take over from Mugabe.

“We want them in the card that’s what I will canvass for. And also if we don’t have good leaders from the war veterans, we are for the people, we will chose from the people”, said Christopher Mutsvangwa, Zimbabwe War Veterans Association Chairman.

Some citizens, however, hold that the new cabinet will not improve the lives of ordinary people.

“This reshuffle wont help anything because elections are there next year. There is no money in this country and that won’t boost the economy in any way,” said Isaac Mudyiwa, a street vendor.

Mugabe has ruled the economically challenged country for the past 37 years and his party Zanu PF has already endorsed him to contest next year’s elections by which time he would be 94 years.