Meet Robert Mugabe's new opponent: his 'daughter' Joice Mujuru

Mrs Mujuru, who once described herself as Mr Mugabe's 'daughter', is reportedly soon to launch her own party, People First, to take on the 91-year-old strongman.

Robert Mugabe will face a challenge from his one-time protégé, Joice Mujuru, after the spurned former vice president positioned herself as a rival in Zimbabwe's 2018 elections with the release of a political manifesto on Tuesday.


Mrs Mujuru, who once described herself as Mr Mugabe's 'daughter', is soon to launch her own party, People First, to take on the 91-year-old strongman and his powerful Zanu PF, according to the close ally who oversaw the manifesto release.


The document given to Zimbabwean media calls for a review of the so-called “indigenisation” legislation which has blocked foreign investment for the last decade. “All persons who call Zimbabwe home shall be entitled to access land and participate in its sustainable utilisation,” it said.


At present no white person can legally own farm land in Zimbabwe and the economy crashed when thousands were kicked off their farms from 2000.


Mrs Mujuru, 60, was seen as Mr Mugabe's likely successor until she wassacked from her post as vice president and expelled from the ruling Zanu PF last year after Grace Mugabe, the first lady, repeatedly accused her of plotting to assassinate the president and stage a coup d’état.

More than 140 Zanu PF leaders and officials were sacked in the subsequent purge.

Mrs Mujuru, who joined Zanu PF as a teenager when she fought in the war against white-ruled Rhodesia, served in Mr Mugabe’s cabinet from independence in 1980 and became vice president 11 years ago. Prior to her ouster from Zanu PF, many believed she had widespread support in the party and would be a popular heir to Mr Mugabe when he died or retired.

That was until Mrs Mugabe, linked to various factions in Zanu PF, took to the streets last year and went around the country accusing Mrs Mujuru of plotting to take over the government.

A year before she was expelled from Zanu PF, Mrs Mujuru granted The Daily Telegraph the only face to face interview she gave in her long political career and intimated she did have ambitions to lead Zimbabwe after Mr Mugabe departed the political arena, saying, “If the chance comes, then no one will refuse.”

Mrs. Joice Mujuru and Prez. Robert Mugabe

source:telegraph