News / National
'Mugabe cannot owe anyone,' says Charamba
30 May 2015 at 14:42hrs | Views
Presidential spokesperson George Charamba says President Robert Mugabe does not owe anyone money as reported by a daily publication that claimed that the First Family borrowed US$30 million from former Zanu-PF Mashonaland East provincial chairperson Ray Kaukonde.
Speaking in Malabo where he is part of the delegation accompanying the AU chairperson, Charamba confirmed to the nation that the head of state does not borrow from a private citizen and therefore cannot owe.
He said if the President has to borrow, he does it with the right institutions.
Charamba said its inconceivable for the President to be associated with such a transaction with a citizen, whether in his personal or Presidential capacity.
"Anyone making such allegations is attacking the person of the President as well as his office," said Charamba.
He added there is a way in which those allegations are meant to cheapen the office of the President and that can only come from a type of journalism that he described as "ill will" journalists which is animated by unmitigated malice.
He said it is also an insult to the Presidency because it overlooks the fact that the President is a successful farmer who has been delivering tonnes and tonnes of maize, wheat, soya and mega litres of milk in its processed form to Zimbabweans.
Charamba noted that the First Family is in business and to imply that they have to borrow is in other words demeaning the First Family.
"We have been observing a trend in the private media where there is a malicious targeting of the First Family. The trend is in fact not erratic but systemic and sustained," he added.
Charamba said there is a difference between holding politicians to account and holding them up for ridicule.
He said the behaviour of such media invites a strong legislative response and this coming at a time when there are calls for the removal of the criminal defamation law presents a challenge for the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services.
Speaking in Malabo where he is part of the delegation accompanying the AU chairperson, Charamba confirmed to the nation that the head of state does not borrow from a private citizen and therefore cannot owe.
He said if the President has to borrow, he does it with the right institutions.
Charamba said its inconceivable for the President to be associated with such a transaction with a citizen, whether in his personal or Presidential capacity.
"Anyone making such allegations is attacking the person of the President as well as his office," said Charamba.
He added there is a way in which those allegations are meant to cheapen the office of the President and that can only come from a type of journalism that he described as "ill will" journalists which is animated by unmitigated malice.
He said it is also an insult to the Presidency because it overlooks the fact that the President is a successful farmer who has been delivering tonnes and tonnes of maize, wheat, soya and mega litres of milk in its processed form to Zimbabweans.
Charamba noted that the First Family is in business and to imply that they have to borrow is in other words demeaning the First Family.
"We have been observing a trend in the private media where there is a malicious targeting of the First Family. The trend is in fact not erratic but systemic and sustained," he added.
Charamba said there is a difference between holding politicians to account and holding them up for ridicule.
He said the behaviour of such media invites a strong legislative response and this coming at a time when there are calls for the removal of the criminal defamation law presents a challenge for the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services.
Source - zbc
