Joice Mujuru rejoins Zanu PF

Patience Muchemwa

Former Vice President Joice Mujuru, who also served the ruling party’s second in command after the late former president Robert Mugabe, has announced her return into the Zanu PF fold.

Although Zanu PF could neither confirm nor deny the development, the liberation war veteran and wife of late former Commander Zimbabwe Defence Forces, General (Retired) Solomon Mujuru, posted on X that the ruling party is the party she has always loved and served.

“I, Dr. Joice Mujuru, have decided to re-join Zanu PF, the party that I have always loved and served. I know that some of you may be confused or disappointed by my decision, but let me explain why.

“Zanu PF is the party that liberated our country from colonial oppression. It is the party that gave us our independence and sovereignty. It is the party that has defended our national interests and values against foreign interference and aggression.

“I have been a loyal member of Zanu PF since I joined the liberation struggle as a young girl. I fought alongside our heroes and heroines under the leadership of President Robert Mugabe. I rose through the ranks of the party and the government.

“However, in 2014, I was falsely accused of plotting to overthrow President Mugabe by some elements within the party who wanted to tarnish my image and destroy my career. I was expelled from the party in 2015 without a fair hearing or due process I was hurt and betrayed,” Mujuru wrote.

The former vice president said she did not give up on her political aspirations despite having been fired from Zanu PF.

“I formed my own party, Zimbabwe People First, in 2016, hoping to offer an alternative to the people of Zimbabwe. But I soon realized that forming a new party was not the solution. It only divided our people and weakened our nation.

“I lost many supporters and allies along the way. That is why I decided to return to Zanu PF, where I belong. I realised that Zanu PF is my home, and that there is no other party that can represent me and my interests better than Zanu PF,” the veteran politician said.

Mujuru claimed that she had spoken to top Zanu PF officials and she was forgiven for her mistakes.

“I have met with President Mnangagwa and other senior leaders of Zanu PF, and they have welcomed me back with open arms. They have forgiven me for my mistakes and assured me of their support and cooperation. I attended the 2023 independence ceremony.”

In an interview with Zim Now, Zanu PF acting Director for Information, Farai Marapira said the party is receiving applications from former members to who want return.

He said the party is welcoming back some former members because it is a people’s party and they don’t hold any grudges against them.

“If there are any returns we will make an official announcement.”

Mujuru was expelled from Zanu PF in April 2015, along with several of her top associates. Then president, the late Robert Mugabe appointed her long-time rival in theZanu PF succession battle, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as vice president. Mujuru subsequently moved on to form the Zimbabwe People First and performed dismally in the 2018 elections, which they contested.