Zimbabwe plot story ‘rubbish’

Press, 5 June 1979, Page 8

Zimbabwe plot story ‘rubbish’

NZPA Salisbury The leader of the Zimbabwe African National Union in Salisbury, the Rev. Ndabaningi Sithole, has said that allegations that his party had plotted to assassinate the Prime Minister (Bishop Abel Muzorewa) are “absolute rubbish.” Mr Sithole, Bishop Muzorewa’s main political rival, said in an interview: “It is totally untrue that any of my men were involved in any assassination plot.” The Minister of Law and Order (Mr Francis Zindoga) said at the week-end that the detention last week of 14 members of Mr Sithole’s party was connected with a plot to assassinate Bishop Muzorewa and his aides. Five were subsequently released. Mr Zindoga did not say that Z.A.N.U. was necessarily involved in any such plot. “He (Mr Zindoga) is just an alarmist and one would have thought a Minister in his position would have been more careful than just alarming people for nothing,” Mr Sithole said. Security sources in Salisbury privately said the Z.A.N.U. officials were being held only for hoarding weapons. They also said there was no firm evidence of any assassination plot. In a previously scheduled television and radio address to the nation yesterday, Mr Zindoga said: “Political party rivalry which involves thuggery and intimidation must cease. The Government will not hesitate to act against those who by unconstitutional means may seek to destroy what has been achieved by the people through the ballot box. Subversive elements will be [prosecuted in the courts.”