Stop insulting ED or face wrath of CIO: Minister

We have capacity to deal with anyone who insults Mnangagwa, or promote factionalism within country’s top leadership- warns CIO minister

…Command respect and love for ED dismissed as a passing sneer

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has enlisted the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) to curb the widespread criticism he faces on social media, sparked by his administration’s rampant corruption and human rights abuses .

Mnangagwa, the SADC Chairman, has become a figure of contempt and ridicule, both domestically and internationally, with millions of Zimbabweans expressing their discontent with his leadership on social media.

The Minister of National Security, Lovemore Matuke, who oversees the CIO, has appealed to Zimbabweans to respect and love Mnangagwa.

Similar pleas and threats were made a few days ago by the Minister of Home Affairs Kazembe Kazembe. Zanu PF Women’s league boss Mabel Chinomona repeated similar pleas urging Zimbabweans to respect and love their president. Local Government and Public Works Minister and Zanu PF Mashonaland East Chairman Daniel Garwe also sang the same chorus of love and respect to ED.

If posts on social media are anything to go by Mnangagwa is one of the most insulted presidents.

The latest plea and threat by his minister has been met with skepticism by many, who view it as an attempt to stifle free speech and criticism.

The public reaction to Matuke’s call has been overwhelmingly negative, with many Zimbabweans taking to social media to express their outrage and frustration. “The Minister of National Security should focus on addressing the real issues affecting the country, rather than trying to silence critics,” said one Twitter user.

Others have pointed out that the government’s attempts to suppress dissent only serve to further erode trust and confidence in the administration. “The more they try to silence us, the louder we will speak out against injustice and corruption,” said another Twitter user.

The controversy surrounding Matuke’s call has highlighted the deep-seated tensions between the government and the Zimbabwean people, who are increasingly frustrated with the country’s economic and political crisis.

Matuke issued a stern warning to Zimbabweans for insulting President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

He said those who insult Mnangagwa or those trying to create a rift within the country’s leadership should be warned that the CIO has the capacity to deal with them.

“Munhu anotuka President tikakuziva isusu ndokubasa kwatakatumwa tinokugadzirisa kuti uite pfungwa dzakanaka.

“tinombokupa warning kuti siyanai nekutaura zvipesanisa leadership, but tine capacity yekukusvasvanga,” he said.

Loose translation:

(Anyone who insults the President, if we get to know you, that’s the job we were sent.

(We can deal with you so that you come back to your senses.)

(We give you a warning at first that do not cause or promote factionalism within the country’s top leadership. But we have the capacity to deal with you sternly.)

More responses from resilient Zimbabweans are pouring on social media in response to Matuke’s threats.

“You can’t force Zimbabweans to love and respect President Mnangagwa who failed to endear himself to the citizens. One attracts respect and love by his actions. ED can’t be cruel to his countrymen and expect us to clap hands for him and ululate as he loots our country dry with his sons and Wicknell Chivayo,” complained one Zimbabwean who identified himself as Chimutashu Chimutashu.

“These people are a joke,” remarked another Zimbabwe, Loice Vhezu, “They are doing all the terrible things to our country but expect us to cheer them on.”

Added a South Africa-based Zimbabwean, Taimbanavo Zhou: ” I wonder who exactly voted for him when facts on the ground have a different tale to tell.”

Said Linda Madhoyi, another Zimbabwean in diaspora: “Our leaders must treat citizens with respect, stock hospitals with medicines, medical equipment, pay decent salaries to civil servants, deliver basic government services and everyone will be happy with them.”

About Post Author