November 26 - December 03, 2014

Contents

Compiled by – Mike Taylor

1. Daily news sued by Zanu PF
2. Assassination plot
3. Mujuru not attending congress

Daily News sued by Zanu PF

Independent Media

Daily News, November 28, 2014
“Vultures circle Daily News again”

• The Zanu PF has lodged a complaint against the Daily News, through the Zimbabwe Media Commission.
• The Daily News was violently shut down by the government in 2003 and only reopened in recent years.
• Several lawsuits have been filed against the newspaper since it reopened, although none of the lawsuits resulted in any repercussions for the Daily News.
• Grace Mugabe has recently verbally attacked the newspaper.
• The most recent complaint came from a certain Zanu PF youth who the paper alleged had violent tendencies.

*State-owned media has not commented on this story.

Assassination plot

Independent Media

Daily News, November 28, 2014
“Mugabe ‘plot’ – Sikhala arrested”, by Lloyd Mbiba

• The former MDC legislator was arrested at the Beitbridge Border Post upon returning from South Africa.
• He is accused of being involved in a plot to overthrow Robert Mugabe.
• State media has alleged that Sikhala met with VP Joice Mujuru to organize Mugabe’s overthrow.
• Sikhala said that the entire affair was fabricated as a result of Zanu PF infighting.
  

State-owned Media

The Herald, November 29, 2014
“Jabulani Sibanda arrested”

• The former war veterans’ leader was arrested in Bulawayo and is being charged for undermining the authority of the president.
• The arrest initiated calls for two other legislators who allegedly plotted a coup attempt against Robert Mugabe: Didymus Mutasa and John Mvundura.
• Sibanda was recently expelled from Zanu PF for trying to organize a march on the State House to confront Mugabe.
• Sibanda has been open about his dislike of Grace Mugabe’s rise to political power.
• Sibanda said he was only guilty of not attending Grace Mugabe’s rallies.

Mujuru not attending congress

Independent Media

Daily News, December 3, 2014
“Mujuru fears for her life”, by Mugove Tafirenyika and Fungi Kwaramba

• Mujuru may boycott the Zanu PF congress as she fears for her life amidst death threats.
• Mugabe openly accused Joice Mujuru of attempting to topple him.
• She is expected to respond to the allegations later this week.
• As Mugabe spoke, Zanu PF youths affirmed that they would not let Mujuru near the party headquarters or the congress.
• One Zanu PF youth is recorded as saying “. . . If they [Mujuru and her supporters] decide to come, they are coming at their own risk and anything can happen to them. We cannot guarantee their safety.”

State-owned Media

The Herald, December 4 (3), 2014
“President on assassination – Mujuru engaged MDC-T, n’angas – VP misses third straight indaba”, by Farirai Machivenyika

• President Mugabe revealed that Joice Mujuru and her faction were planning to assassinate him. He said this while speaking at the second day of the Zanu PF congress.
• The Herald notes that the absences of Mujuru, Minister Didymus Mutasa and Minister Nicholas Goche were conspicuous [although the Herald itself earlier this week reported that Minister Goche was in the hospital - http://www.herald.co.zw/goche-remains-in-icu/].
• Mugabe also accused Mujuru of obtaining charms from shamans and a blessing from a church leader in order to secure her rise to the presidency.
• Mugabe said the church refused to give the blessing because leaders are chosen by God.
• Mugabe commended his wife Grace on exposing Mujuru’s plotting and corruption.