These arrests were clearly a waste of national resources and taxpayers money. One of the cases was dismissed for lack of evidence, one was released on free bail and another on USd 50 bail. Bindura Magistrate Ruramayi Chitumbura granted free bail to MDC Member of Parliament for Epworth Eliah Jembere, who had been arrested for allegedly undermining and insulting the authority of President Robert Mugabe.
Yet Mugabe himself is well known for using insulting words about other prominent politicians locally and internationally. He once called former US President George W Bush a “dying horse” after the US said it could no longer support a Harare government that included him. He told Tony Blair to “go to hell” as the Commonwealth prepared to shy away once more from suspending Zimbabwe despite evidence that Mugabe’s regime had violated its principles.
Nothing happened to the pro-Zanu (PF) singer Tambaoga, who has now sunk into oblivion, on his offensive song, which was penned in praise of Mugabe’s regular tirades against Blair, “The only Blair I know is a blair toilet”. The song, which failed to sell, was even allowed to be aired on national radio and television. Tambaoga’s career is now in the doldrums. Mugabe once called Tsvangirai ‘chematama” (big cheeks) and launched a virulent attack against his former Finance Minister who challenged him in elections in 2008 by describing him as “worse than a prostitute”.
Yet after saying these insulting words against other people, Mugabe or his cronies feel offended at the slightest thing said about him.
This is coming at a time when the police, through Commissioner Agustine Chihuri, have asked for US$ 3 million to provide security to the important constitutional outreach meetings, which are expected to begin today. Chihuri has turned a blind eye to the numerous reports of violence in the country and the daily death threats that villagers are getting if they dare contribute to the constitutional debate. Torture bases by Zanu (PF) militia have continued to mushroom in many rural parts of the country with police doing nothing. But the same cash-strapped police find time and money to waste on political rhetoric by MDC officials. This really calls for change.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga