ZANU PF DEFENDS PEACE AWARD TO MUGABE THE ‘GLOBAL ICON’, BY CHINA.

The ruling Zanu PF party has defended the Chinese award given to President Robert Mugabe last month saying the 91-year-old is a global icon and dismissing as “jealous” those critical of the accolade. Mugabe was conferred with the Confucious Peace Prize; China’s counter to internationally acclaimed and Norwegian funded Nobel Peace Prize for being a “fighter for peace in Zimbabwe and across the African continent”. The veteran strongman reportedly fought off competition from other contenders such as multi-millionaire Microsoft proprietor Bill Gates and South Korean President Park Geun-hye. However the award has become the subject of ridicule from the opposition. But Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo defended the award saying Mugabe is “a global icon” deserving of every award he has received for his “unwavering fight for free who has also done a lot for his country and beyond”. “So is the MDC-T saying they are the ones who deserve the award? “President Mugabe has been in power through elections, he has been elected by the people and we conduct elections every five years,” Khaya-Moyo said in an interview Friday. Mugabe, over the years, has been accused of using foul means to retain power including violence and outright murder. Last week opposition parties reacted with chagrin to award but the Chinese sponsors have stuck their necks out defending the decision to give it to the only leader Zimbabwe has known since majority rule 35 years ago. China is one of very few places to which Mugabe can still visit and receive red-carpet treatment. Qiao Damo, founder of the little-known China International Peace Studies Centre, which runs the accolade, has defended the award to Mugabe arguing the former guerrilla leader had been recognised for his “outstanding contributions” to world peace. Qiao cited Mugabe’s “ability to stabilise Zimbabwe and, at the same time, promote peace in Africa” as chairperson of the African Union. “Unrest is quite normal. When America was first founded, it was also very chaotic, and Zimbabwe was only founded 30 years ago,” he said. Gorden Moyo, secretary-general of the People’s Democratic Party, described the award as “insanity”. “Mugabe, as we know him and as the people of Zimbabwe have experienced his reign, is a war-monger, and a sadist who delights in the misery of the people,” he said adding should hang their heads in shame for rewarding murderers who masquerade as peace makers”.Khaya-Moyo while singing Mugabe’s praises for the veteran nationalist exploits on the economic front despite obvious signs of decay, blamed the opposition for “attracting sanctions”.

“The economic situation was caused by the sanctions,” said Khaya-Moyo.

“The MDCs know very well that we are getting out of the woods now through the look East policy and the West is stampeding to come to Zimbabwe and invest, we are receiving delegation after delegation. Our policies are very clear.

“President Mugabe deserves that award. I don’t know what the MDC has been done except splitting and splitting. We are going ahead with the implementation of ZimAsset and the 10 point plan.”

He added that those critical of the award are “jealous”.

source-newzimbabwe.