No Mugabe backlash – Makoni

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s former finance minister Simba Makoni says there will be no backlash against veteran President Robert Mugabe if he topples him at this month’s general election.

Makoni said: “President Mugabe is someone who has a very special place in our history,” Makoni said, ruling out retribution against Mugabe over his tainted human rights record. “He led our country together with (the late) vice-president Joshua Nkomo into independence in 1980.He led our people with distinction in the decade and a half of our independence.We will not take those away from our elders.”We will accord them the due respect that our African culture and African standards demand of us.We want President Mugabe to know that under our Mavambo/Kusile (“New Dawn” government) they have the same rights as other citizens.”We are not about retribution and victimisation.We are about togetherness, oneness and I believe this is what people of Zimbabwe want.”Mugabe had been castigated by the West over alleged human rights violations including the massacre of thousands of “dissidents” in the early 1980s and the detention and assault of his opponents.News24″He led our country together with (the late) vice-president Joshua Nkomo into independence in 1980.He led our people with distinction in the decade and a half of our independence.We will not take those away from our elders.”We will accord them the due respect that our African culture and African standards demand of us.We want President Mugabe to know that under our Mavambo/Kusile (“New Dawn” government) they have the same rights as other citizens.”We are not about retribution and victimisation.We are about togetherness, oneness and I believe this is what people of Zimbabwe want.”Mugabe had been castigated by the West over alleged human rights violations including the massacre of thousands of “dissidents” in the early 1980s and the detention and assault of his opponents.News24