PROPERTY tycoon Phillip Chiyangwa says he will put up his entire fortune to secure Zanu PF victory “over the country’s enemies” at the next election.
"I have assets with a value of about US$200 million and if it means selling everything to ensure that the MDC [Movement for Democratic Change] does not get into power, let it be,” Chiyangwa declared this week as he pledged US$100,000 for Zanu PF’s annual conference set for Mutare in December.
Chiyangwa, a former Zanu PF MP for Chinhoyi, hailed President Robert Mugabe as a “selfless” leader, adding: “He should be the life President of this country.”
Through his Native Investments Africa Group, Chiyangwa owns several Zimbabwe Stock Exchange-listed and non-listed companies including engineering firm, ZECO Holdings, Pinnacle Property Holdings and Tsivo Holdings Limited through which he owns Glory Car Hire.
He credits his fortune to “independence brought by Zanu PF”.
And in an unusually-intemperate political outburst, he lashed out at the “sellout” MDC party led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
Chiyangwa, 51, said: “Next year's elections are just like the landmark 1980 elections. They will be decisive and some of us want to ensure that the enemy is defeated once and for all.
"There is not going to be a compromise because the time has come to tell Zimbabwe's enemies that Zanu PF is ready to reclaim its status as the people's party.
"We only want to fight through the ballot box and nothing else. We have been too nice to sellouts and this is the time to show them the exit door.”
Chiyangwa said he was ready to stand for MP in Harare or any urban centre to burst a commonly-held view that cities are a hotbed of opposition to President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF party which has been in power for 30 years.
“There is a mistaken belief that MDC will do well in urban areas, but I am even prepared to stand as a candidate in any constituency in an urban set-up and see whether I cannot make it,” Chiyangwa said.
"It happened in the past when I won the Chinhoyi seat and this will also happen again next year.”
President Robert Mugabe says he will call an election next year to end the “nonsense” of a power sharing government he formed with rivals Prime Minister Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara in February 2009 after disputed elections the previious year.
Mugabe’s declaration came after a series of clashes with Tsvangirai who accused the 86-year-old leader of unilaterally making appointments and slowing down reforms, including a new constitution which the MDC wants in place before any election is held.