Mugabe likens rivals to biblical betrayer Judas

World
Europe

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Thursday accused unnamed officials in his ruling ZANU-PF Party of trying to force him into retirement, likening them to the biblical betrayer Judas.

The 93-year-old leader is one of Africa’s longest serving presidents, having served since 1987.

He intends to seek another mandate in the southern African nation’s election scheduled to take place in 2018.

“Others are like those that Jesus spoke about during his last supper, when he said ‘some of you eating with me here shall betray me.’ The Judas Iscariot. They are here among us,” Mugabe said during a burial ceremony of a party member.

“They want to cause leadership change… for the president to step down. I did not grab power. I was chosen by the people,” he added.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice-President of Zimbabwe /AFP Photo

This is the second time in two weeks that the veteran leader used a biblical character to describe someone.

During his UNGA speech last Friday, Mugabe likened the US President Donald Trump to the biblical giant Goliath.

“Some of us were embarrassed if not frightened by what appeared to be the return of the biblical giant gold Goliath. Are we having the return of Goliath to our midst who is threatening the extinction of other countries?” he said.

ZANU-PF Party has however had splits from within, with both vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa and First Lady Grace Mugabe reported to be keen on succeeding the 93-year-old.

Grace Mugabe, the wife of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe and the First Lady of Zimbabwe /AFP Photo

Mugabe however reiterated that he is still the leader of Zimbabwe, and is fully in charge.

“When the day comes I will say thank you to my Zimbabwean family and I will step down so you can choose my successor. But for now I am the one in charge,” he said.

11092km