Zimbabweans, a 'stupid lot' - Herald

Zimbabweans have been described as a 'stupid lot' for questioning the appointment of President Robert Mugabe's son-in-law Simba Chikore as chief operating officer of Air Zimbabwe.

State controlled Herald desk editor Isdore Guvamombe on Monday said he was hurt by the criticism on Chikore saying "the majority of Zimbabweans who jumped into criticising Simba's appointment, have no clue how an airline is run, let alone fly on Air Zimbabwe. They are rabid, critics. Period!" he wrote in the Herald.

According to Guvamombe, Zimbabweans should be grateful that Mugabe is single handily keeping the struggling airliner in operation.

 He said Mugabe's frequently foreign travels help sustain the airline.

"The only person who has been consistent travelling on Air Zimbabwe and paying bills in full, has been President Robert Mugabe.

"The rest of us, Government ministers included, are guilty of being spectators, who criticise Air Zimbabwe from the terraces. Most Zimbabweans fly other airlines, despite Air Zimbabwe's outstanding safety record. This is the truth and the truth hurts.

"Most Zimbabweans are a stupid lot, they spent their time ridiculing the appointment and linking it to Simba being the son-in-law of President Mugabe".

He claimed that Air Zimbabwe employees 'get excited each time they hear of President Mugabe's trip because that month they are assured of their salaries on time. In fact, the more the President flies outside the country the better for Air Zimbabwe for he is the airline's major paying client".