via Mutasa criticised over comments on journalists | SW Radio Africa by Tichaona Sibanda on Monday, May 12, 2014
Presidential Affairs Minister Didymus Mutasa has come under a bombardment of criticism for his suggestion that ZANU PF wants to come up with laws that criminalize the discussion of President Robert Mugabe’s succession publicly and in the media.
The ZANU PF stalwart also warned journalists against publishing stories on the ageing leader’s health, saying the regime will deal ruthlessly with such scribes.
In an interview with the Daily News on Sunday, Mutasa said journalists and people who fuel speculation on Mugabe’s health should be punished severely. His comments have infuriated journalists, politicians and members of civil society organizations who have joined forces to condemn his remarks.
The chairperson of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, Dhewa Mavhinga, said Mutasa was living in the past and that ZANU PF should stop threatening and intimidating journalists who have constitutionally-enshrined media freedoms.
He said no amount of harassment or intimidation will make the ruling party’s big problem of succession go away. Journalist and political analyst Itai Dzamara told SW Radio Africa that he was astonished by Mutasa’s remarks, which he said were both unfortunate and irresponsible.
‘It’s either Mutasa is insane or mentally demented or both for him to say that. Mugabe’s well-being is of national interest and why would he try to stop people discussing issues to do with the head of state,’ queried Dzamara.
He said while it might be impossible for ZANU PF to carry out Mutasa’s threat, it will also be folly for anyone to rule out that possibility.
‘You cannot rule out anything with ZANU PF…they are capable of going to any height of madness to fulfill a promise. Perhaps Mutasa might be reflecting on what they’re plotting behind the scenes.’
In 2002 Mutasa controversially said that it would be a good thing if the population were halved, insinuating that the other half supported the MDC and not ZANU PF.
He said: ‘We would be better off with only six million people, with our own ZANU PF people who supported the liberation struggle.’
Two months ago, Mutasa was flown to India to receive specialist treatment for an undisclosed ailment and appeared very uncomfortable discussing his health problems.
Contacted by a journalist in Harare to check on his health following speculation that he was on his death bed, Mutasa retorted: ‘I am not feeling well, but is my illness newsworthy? Let’s discuss anything you want for now without talking about my illness.’
Perhaps this is the reason why Mutasa wants journalists severely punished for bringing up health issues affecting the top leadership of ZANU PF.
COMMENTS
Mutasa is one of the disease organisms that has poisoned Zimbabwe. One way or another it is highly likely he will not survive the demise of his boss. By now too it is believed he knows the down side of taking too much Viagra.
Death is a reality and we all have to seek God before the last step. 150 years ago, no-one on the face of this earth who was there then, is still around. They all died and waiting for the judgement day appointment. They are penniless and don’t know even a single thing. Indeed don’t waste time grabbing, hurting , howling, threatening……seek Him he is still saving souls
Mr Diesel at Chinhoyi has gone bonkers! dzatacha!
Mutasa is just carrying on with the legacy of ZANU,they have history of disregarding the constitution they engineered,this is a genuine warning by ZANU,u criticize them at your own peril,freedom of speech is foreign to this Party
Mutasa does not own President Mugabe, neither does he own this country. We will discuss Mugabe’s succession, or Tsvangirayi’s succession in MDC-T, or anyone’s susession and Mutasa is not able to do anything about this. Does it become criminal to talk about one’s own president? Mutasa can really be primitive, and is a liability to both Zanu pf and Zimbabwe. He is a very good guy though, when his mouth is shut.