News / National
'Mugabe won't listen to boys, girls'
18 Jul 2016 at 13:44hrs | Views
Zimbabwe envoy to Ghana - Pavelyn Tendai Musaka - has derisively told President Robert Mugabe's critics that they are wasting time plotting to topple him.
Describing them as little boys and girls, Musaka said Mugabe was unmoved by the criticism that he has received on social media and the recent wave of protests.
"Of course he has got sources from all over, who will give him that information (on the tweets).
"Because he is a Statesman, he won't respond to little boys and girls. He is above that, he has had to fight giants like the Tony Blairs (former British prime minister) of this world, so what are the little boys and girls going to do to him?" Musaka said in a recent interview with a Ghanaian news station.
She blamed the mainstream media for the criticism, accusing journalists of not respecting African leaders.
"I just get surprised that this is coming from African journalists. As far I am concerned if an African doesn't respect an African head of State I don't know who should respect him.
"It's Africans who should show the leadership in respecting our leaders.
"So when I see those quotes and (tweets) I said to myself let's not go to those levels, and I engage and challenge Ghanaian media as well as African media to start respecting your own, charity begins at home," Musaka said.
"The leaders in this (social media criticism) are the media, they can correct it, I know it.
"I want to urge the media and the members of public that there's no need to do that…"
Her sentiments come in the wake of widespread criticism of the 92-year-old ruler and growing protests against his ruinous policies.
A social media movement dubbed #ThisFlag has sent Mugabe's government into panic, arresting anyone seemingly leading any protest against Zanu-PF's misrule.
The video of the interview, which has been widely circulated on social media platforms, mainly Facebook, has resulted in Musaka receiving backlash from Zimbabweans.
Zimbabweans commenting on the video were furious of Musaka's "ignorance" as they railed against her and threatened to recall her, in the case that Zanu-PF loses power.
Zimbabwe is going through one of its worst economic times as its battered economy contracts owing to falling production output.
Mugabe, in power since independence in 1980, is facing the biggest challenge of his political career as angry Zimbabweans question his fitness to remain office - citing poor health and the current economic problem.
In recent weeks, Mugabe and his administration have had to contend with riots and general strikes which they say are sponsored by hostile foreign governments.
Describing them as little boys and girls, Musaka said Mugabe was unmoved by the criticism that he has received on social media and the recent wave of protests.
"Of course he has got sources from all over, who will give him that information (on the tweets).
"Because he is a Statesman, he won't respond to little boys and girls. He is above that, he has had to fight giants like the Tony Blairs (former British prime minister) of this world, so what are the little boys and girls going to do to him?" Musaka said in a recent interview with a Ghanaian news station.
She blamed the mainstream media for the criticism, accusing journalists of not respecting African leaders.
"I just get surprised that this is coming from African journalists. As far I am concerned if an African doesn't respect an African head of State I don't know who should respect him.
"It's Africans who should show the leadership in respecting our leaders.
"So when I see those quotes and (tweets) I said to myself let's not go to those levels, and I engage and challenge Ghanaian media as well as African media to start respecting your own, charity begins at home," Musaka said.
"I want to urge the media and the members of public that there's no need to do that…"
Her sentiments come in the wake of widespread criticism of the 92-year-old ruler and growing protests against his ruinous policies.
A social media movement dubbed #ThisFlag has sent Mugabe's government into panic, arresting anyone seemingly leading any protest against Zanu-PF's misrule.
The video of the interview, which has been widely circulated on social media platforms, mainly Facebook, has resulted in Musaka receiving backlash from Zimbabweans.
Zimbabweans commenting on the video were furious of Musaka's "ignorance" as they railed against her and threatened to recall her, in the case that Zanu-PF loses power.
Zimbabwe is going through one of its worst economic times as its battered economy contracts owing to falling production output.
Mugabe, in power since independence in 1980, is facing the biggest challenge of his political career as angry Zimbabweans question his fitness to remain office - citing poor health and the current economic problem.
In recent weeks, Mugabe and his administration have had to contend with riots and general strikes which they say are sponsored by hostile foreign governments.
Source - dailynews
