{Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe\u2019s wife Grace has declared herself fit after making her first public appearance in over a month. } <\/p>\n
The 49-year-old First Lady had been last seen in public at the end of April when she attended the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in the second city of Bulawayo. <\/p>\n
Her reappearance comes days after her political nemesis, Mrs Joice Mujuru, the former vice-president the First Lady played a key role in ousting, publicly dismissed described President Mugabe\u2019s administration as a \u201cfailure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrs Mujuru was tipped to succeed Mugabe before she was fired from the ruling Zanu PF party and government for allegedly plotting to kill the 91-year-old leader.<\/p>\n
The widow of Zimbabwe\u2019s first black army commander, the late Solomon Mujuru, said her sacking was inevitable.
\n\u201cFor my own role in this failure, I am truly sorry and I apologise to my fellow Zimbabweans,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis humbling experience (her sacking) has afforded me an opportunity to reflect on the higher ideals of the armed struggle and with sadness, I have had to digest the many shortcomings in delivery. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a time in our history for contrition and reflection, for cleansing and for divinity of faith.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zanu PF has fired over 100 top officials including Mrs Mujuru since its congress in December as the fight to succeed Zimbabwe\u2019s only leader since independence intensifies.<\/p>\n
As for the First Lady, she has missed a series of important Zanu PF party meetings after she was elevated to secretary for women in the purge she engineered last year that consumed Mrs Mujuru and ten cabinet ministers. <\/p>\n
Her long absence sparked speculation that she had returned to Singapore where she underwent an operation to remove her appendix. <\/p>\n
The First Lady spent close to two months between December 2014 and February this year recuperating in Singapore amid rumours she suffers from colon cancer. <\/p>\n
Power positioning<\/p>\n
However, State media on Thursday reported she had addressed a meeting of the Zanu PF women\u2019s league on Wednesday where she said it was normal to have occasional health worries.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur bodies will always ache but these issues can always be addressed. That is why we go for treatment,\u201d she was quoted as saying.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thank God because sometimes you\u2019re in pain but do not know what the problems are; however, once the ailment is diagnosed you get treated and continue to work for the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am now very strong. I have the same energy I had last year.\u201d<\/p>\n
President Mugabe himself has been making frequent trips to Singapore for medical treatment. <\/p>\n
He has admitted that he has eye problems but there is speculation that he suffers from prostate cancer. <\/p>\n
At the height last year\u2019s party purge, there was speculation that President Mugabe\u2019s wife was positioning herself to take over from Zimbabwe\u2019s only ruler since independence in 1980. <\/p>\n
However, subsequent to the Zanu PF December 2014 congress, she has been rarely seen in public and has become less vocal. <\/p>\n
On Wednesday, she appealed for reconciliation in the party, saying those who confess to have been misled by Mrs Mujuru should be forgiven.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf people have apologised and admitted they were badly misled but have now realised the error of their ways, we should forgive them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should have a spirit of forgiveness.\u201d <\/p>\n
The First Lady accused the former vice-president of corruption and plotting to kill her husband, an accusation Mrs Mujuru has repeatedly denied. <\/p>\n
The ouster of Mrs Mujuru and what was said to her faction led directly to the elevation of long-term Mugabe loyalist Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was appointed vice-president and heir apparent in her stead<\/p>\n
{{Africa Review}}<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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