Zimbabwe President Mugabe’s wife refused to shake hands with Vice President Mujuru

Alleged confirmation of a rift with the Mugabes and VP Mujuru came at Harare International Airport on Friday night as President Mugabe and the First Lady prepared to leave for the beatification of Pope Paul VI at The Vatican.

The President first exchanged pleasantries with service chiefs and senior Government officials.

He then walked across the red carpet aisle and bade farewell to VP Mujuru; Senior Minister of State Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo; Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo and Minister Miriam Chikukwa (Harare Provincial Affairs).

Digressing from his usual departure signature of first chatting with the VP, the President instead had a few words with Ambassador Khaya Moyo while Dr Mujuru looked on.

The First Lady shook hands with most dignitaries on the tarmac, but did not shake hands with VP Mujuru. 

The First Lady then waited for the President near the stairs to the plane.

Both women — who were capped at the University of Zimbabwe by President Mugabe on the same day last month — did not converse despite their proximity.

Grace Mugabe — at her rally in Mashonaland Central last Thursday — said the President was fed up with the senior official who she advised to apologise or risk the boot.

The official, Dr Mugabe said, was apparently incensed by her nomination to the helm of the Zanu-PF Women’s League.

She added at another rally in Mashonaland East on Friday that divisive opposition parties such as MDC and Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn as well as corruption and factionalism were all mooted in this official’s house. 

Source: Sunday Mail