The Zimbabwe Gazette Daily News Online - Ibbo Mandaza warns state media over Makoni

Home

Politics

Ibbo Mandaza warns state media over Makoni

(4 votes)

By Talent Tsatsa, on February 18 2008 14:26

Favoured : 25

Former cabinet minister and Zanu PF stalwart Ibbo Mandaza, who recently forged an alliance with break-away presidential aspirant Dr Simba Makoni, has warned journalists from the state media to count their days.

Ibbo Mandaza Sticking Out For Makoni

On Saturday Mandaza warned a senior journalist from Zimpapers who was seeking a comment on a story to 'watch your step' when reporting about the Makoni issue because 'your days are numbered'.

Although he did not give much detail in his warning, Mandaza's bold statement was suggestive of an eminent regime change in the country that would see heads rolling in the state media.

Sources say Makoni's breakaway from Zanu PF to stand as an independent candidate in the upcoming elections was just a tip of the iceberg to a political storm that would sweep across the country soon.

Makoni has been linked to political heavyweights like Solomon Mujuru, Dzikamai Mavhaire and Dumiso Dabengwa who are said to be masterminding a classic coup to ouster Mugabe if he steals the upcoming elections.

There have been numerous theories to the Makoni case but Mandaza's warning could be a tip to the future of politics in the country.

It is believed that Mandaza could be heading for a possible influential position in the information department of the Makoni camp and is tipped to be the Minister of Information in the speculative underground syndicate.

Mandaza is a bitter man after the CIO grabbed his publications The Daily Mirror and The Sunday Mirror, which have since folded.

He was ousted unceremoniously his Zimbabwe Mirror Group as the CIO imposed the scandalous Jonathan Kadzura to head the company.

However, things deteriorated at the ZMG since after Mandaza's departure until the papers folded leaving numerous journalists jobless.

Most of the journalists have now joined Zimpapers and it is suspected that Mandaza could be mulling a plan to re-establish his 'Mirror Empire' at the state run publisher on the completion of the pending political storm.

The warning to a senior journalist has been linked to the impending exercises that would see an overhaul at Zimpapers in which most Mugabe bootlickers would be sacked.

The state media opened a barrage of criticism against Makoni as soon as he announced his intention to contest in the presidential race.

Mandaza, a disgruntled political analyst and academic, was the first Zanu PF member to come in the open on his support for Makoni when he flanked the aspiring president at his very first press conference to announce his intention to contest against President Robert Mugabe in the upcoming elections.

Share This Story On:

Free social bookmarking plugins and extensions for Joomla! websites!

Users' Comments

Average user rating

Display 2 of 2 comments

[+] Expand comment

Question to Makoni

By: dombo (Guest) on February 26 2008 01:18

[-] Collapse comment

Question to Makoni

By: dombo (Guest ) on February 26 2008 01:18

Question 1 - Why does he not want to loose the Zanu PF alliance. Does he honestly think that Zanu PF is still popular.

Question 2. Why does he not want to form an alliance with the other parties against Mugabe. A united front against Mugabe is more effective and represents a balance across all section of Zimbabwe. Let those in Zanu unhappy with Mugabe vote for Makoni, Those not in Zanu and are unhappy with Mugabe vote for Tsvangirai. Tsvangirai and Makoni cannot affrod to be greedy at this point.

Question 3

Who is behind Makoni ? Very critical question. Who in Zanu PF is clean and worthy to represent us in a new Zimbabwe. Who in ZanupF did not benefit from the ZANU Pf system. Who in Zanu Pf did something during Gukurahundi? Who in Zanu Pf did not enjoy the farms. Who in Zanu PF did not benefit from the cheap petrol and handouts for being loyal. Who in Zanu Pf did not follow instruction given by the boss? Can defecting Zanuists be trusted with the country again. Can the Zanuists be trusted with building the confidence of the masses.
Can they bring anything new to the table except liberation war crediantials.

Question 4 Is Makoni sincere in his endeavours or is he looking for an escape route since falling out of grace with his master in his constituency. What is his motivation. I mean what motivated him to fight it out. Does he have Zimbabwe at heart?

Question 5 Does Ibbo Mandaza have proper credentials. Can he be trusted to be one of our leaders. Is he a statesman in the waiting or just one of the chancers who want to tr their luck. How committed are they Makoni and Mandaza in solving the country's problems . Is it unto death. Can they die for this country or will slither into oblivion when the pressures are too hot. What is the true test of a prospective government . What is their level of intergrity , honesty, truthfulness and sincerity .

THis we want to know . We cannot have future leaders who shift goal posts like its in fashion.

Ponder on this and let me know what you think

» Report this comment to administrator

[+] Expand comment

Good reporting

By: Talibu (Guest) on February 19 2008 17:08

[-] Collapse comment

Good reporting

By: Talibu (Guest ) on February 19 2008 17:08

There is need for the world to know that Zimbabwean media is being run as a private business with Mugabe sitting both on the editorial board and the news reporters committee. The trend in Cuba today will tell. Mugabe must be warned that his children and wife will bear the brunt of colonialism. His relatives too. Hand over what you do not deserve please!!!!
Simba Makoni and Mogan Tsvangirai should pull the ropes. Arthur Mutambara did not really have to step down because we do not know what Makoni holds when he says he is still ZANU-PF. Say something Makoni please!

» Report this comment to administrator

Display 2 of 2 comments

Add your comment

[+] Show form

[-] Hide form

Advertiser Links

Latest News
Popular

Newsflash

Signs of a severe cash shortage began showing across the country as citizens are currently struggling to access cash from their various bank and financial institutions’ accounts.
Read more...