A senior Zanu PF legislator has been bailed to appear in court next year for insulting Zimbabwe’s First Lady.
MP for Gokwe-Nembudziya, Justice Mayor Wadyajena, was arrested in Victoria Falls after the close of the party’s national conference following comments he allegedly made to fellow Zanu PF member Jimayi Muduvuri about Grace Mugabe.
Wadyajena reportedly called Muduvuri foolish for driving a car with a poster of Mrs Mugabe with the inscription: ‘Munhu wese kunamhamha’.
Prosecutor Listen Nare told the court that the lawmaker “used abusive or insulting language” against a party member who had a portrait of Grace Mugabe, and a slogan calling on party members to rally behind her, emblazoned on his car.
Wadyajena was quoted in court papers as having told Muduvuri: “You are a fool as well as that mother of yours.” The first lady is referred to as “mother” by the ruling party supporters.
Wadyajena has been linked to a faction of Zanu-PF loyal to the vice-president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is seen as Mugabe’s heir, while Muduvuri, a businessman, is seen as belonging to a group in the party opposed to Mnangagwa’s bid to succeed Africa’s oldest leader.
Mugabe, 91, has ruled Zimbabwe since 1980 and has avoided naming a successor. His party has been riven by infighting between factions jostling to succeed him.
Wadyajena was granted $800 bail and ordered to report to a local police station once every week until he goes on trial on January 5.
