Zapu leader says Mugabe now a costly liability to Zimbabwe

By Tichaona Sibanda
03 February 2006

Zapu leader Paul Siwela predicts that the current unprecedented hardships being faced by most Zimbabweans will force them to rise and revolt against Robert Mugabe and his Zanu (PF) regime.

The outspoken and fiery leader who favours federal governance to the current political set-up said the current trend of events in the country point to Mugabe exiting from his post earlier than expected.

Since the beginning of the year the country’s already dire economic situation has reached new lows, with analysts pointing to a total collapse of the system.

Siwela cites critical shortages of food currently sweeping through major cities in the country as a sign that ‘the road ahead is full of bumps and surprises.’

He said the decision that has to be taken by the people is only one decision, and that is that Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF) must be removed from office.

‘How you remove him, that is something else, but at this stage the focus is to remove Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF),’ said Siwela.

He said Zimbabweans should be told to brace themselves for more hardships to come as government will fail to rescue the country from the economic predicament it finds itself in.

‘It is these hardships that will propel them to say enough is enough, we have had enough of this dictatorship…Mugabe must go. If it means killing a few people yes, he will kill 30, 50, a 100 or so but that’s the price people have to pay.

‘It happened elsewhere and it should not come as a surprise when it happens here, so people must brace up for that too,’ said Siwela.