Makamba remains tight lipped when confronted about affair with Grace
Grace Mugabe, former first lady
Staff Reporter
Businessman James Makamba remained tight lipped when Zimbabwe Observer asked him to come clean about his alleged amorous relationship with the former first lady Grace Mugabe.
During an exclusive interview today, Makamba responded to all questions sent to him, except for one, which was enquiring about his alleged affair with Grace, which led to his disqualification from contesting for the Zanu PF chairmanship of Mashonaland Central.
Makamba, just read the question and ignored when he was asked: “Ngatinzwei kubva kwamuri mudhara kuti muri kufira mafuta enyama yamusina kudya here kana kuti nyaya yenyu munoiziva uye mutoro wacho munougamuchira.”
In 2015, Makamba told Zimbabwe Observer in Johannesburg that he never had anything with Grace, adding that Mugabe just hated him for his financially independence from the Party and State.
Makamba expressed hope that his comrades will forgive and allow him to contest future elections.
“I hope and trust that an opportunity will present itself in the future where I may be considered with others to participate. Ngiyabonga baba,” lamented Makamba.
Despite suffering such a political setback, Makamba heaped praises on President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who he described as a hope giver to Zimbabwe.
“Yes, it is still my stance that H.E President ED Mnangagwa’s leadership has brought hope to the people of Zimbabwe and must be supported,” said Makamba in an exclusive interview with Zimbabwe Observer.
Makamba ruled out any chances of ditching the ruling party which he described as part of his fabric.
“Zanu PF is part and parcel of this country and my fabric and I would never consider leaving it,” said Makamba.
The Telecel business mogul told Zimbabwe Observer that his disqualification will not stop him from campaigning despite the fact that his name will not appear on the ballot boxes of contestants for the top party job in Mashonaland Central, leaving businessman Tafadzwa Musarara and embattled Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe to lock horns on December 28.
“My next step is to continue campaigning until we vote on the 28th. Voter awareness, promotion and education is an ongoing task for most of us, especially those who engage in the practice,” said Makamba.
Makamba was arrested in 2005, ostensibly for externalising foreign currency but many hint at his alleged affair with nubile Grace as the main cause for his months’ incarceration at Harare remand prison.
Makamba later skipped bail and had been living in South Africa until Mugabe was deposed in the Emmerson Mnangagwa-backed military coup in 2017.
“And now that she is a widow,” they said, “what would stop them from rekindling their affair? So, his link to Grace was a major concern, moreso when she is refusing to have her late husband reburied at the National Heroes Acre.”
Other dynamics at play are Makamba’s fight to have his farm back which was taken over by Mnangagwa’s bodyguard-in-chief, Brigadier-General Felix Mhonda.
“Add too, his battle to regain his shares at Telecel which are now in the hands of a consortium represented by the President’s son-in-law, Gerald Mlotshwa! It’s a volatile mix,” sources said.
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