Zanu-PF dismisses allegations of Zuma murder plot

Zimbabwe's political rivals have clashed over a document said to be from intelligence sources that alleges a plot by president Robert Mugabe to hire a Lebanese murder squad to assassinate his South African counterpart, Jacob Zuma, and a top diplomat.

The report has been dismissed by Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party as “hogwash” and a “typical setup”. The rival Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said the threats should be taken seriously.

They come amid souring relations between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Last week Mugabe branded Zuma's chief mediator Lindiwe Zulu "some stupid, idiotic woman" and a "little street woman" after her failed attempt to force a postponement of elections.

The document, dated July 2nd and of unknown authorship, contains the following: “On Monday this week Mugabe hired six Lebanese nationals to try and assassinate Lindiwe Zulu, who is Zuma’s advisor. The six were told they must not concentrate on Zulu only, but should pay attention to Zuma himself, everything must appear as an accident.”

The possibility that the document is a hoax designed to embarrass the opposition cannot be ruled out.

Rugare Gumbo, spokesman for Zanu-PF, insisted: “It’s all rubbish and hogwash . . . We have a disagreement with Lindiwe Zulu but it would not go to that extent.”

Douglas Mwonzora, the MDC’s spokesman, said: “We have had sight of the intelligence information but we are unable to confirm its authenticity.”– (Guardian service)