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Jonathan Moyo slams attacks on Mabhiza
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Former Cabinet Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has condemned what he described as "outrageous and disgraceful" online attacks against Attorney General Virginia Mabhiza following her inclusion in President Emmerson Mnangagwa's recent delegation to the Vatican and China.
Posting on social media, Prof Moyo criticised political influencers for spreading "baseless innuendos and insinuations" about Mabhiza's role on the high-level trip, arguing that the backlash was rooted in partisan motives and misogyny.
The controversy erupted after Deputy Chief Secretary George Charamba shared photographs of senior officials accompanying the President to the Vatican. While images of Chief Secretary Dr Martin Rushwaya and Chief of Protocol Ambassador Gideon Gapare attracted little attention, Mabhiza's presence triggered a wave of online abuse.
Prof Moyo suggested that the outrage was driven by former opposition supporters "masquerading as backers" of a Zanu-PF faction. He argued that critics deliberately singled out the Attorney General while ignoring other officials in the delegation.
"While it is essential to hold public officials accountable, it is utterly outrageous and despicable to gratuitously smear them for partisan gain," he said.
Defending Mabhiza's participation, Prof Moyo stressed that as the government's chief legal adviser, her inclusion was legitimate and necessary. He linked her presence to ongoing negotiations with China, particularly a multimillion-dollar Memorandum of Agreement with China Railway Group, which required her legal oversight.
He warned that the attacks risked overshadowing critical state business, including infrastructure agreements worth more than US$600 million.
"It is profoundly embarrassing and a national disservice that such vital discussions are overshadowed by clueless agitators who treat weighty state affairs like tabloid fodder," he added.
The comments come amid heightened political tensions within Zanu-PF and persistent speculation over factional rivalries.
Prof Moyo, who has lived in exile since the 2017 coup, urged ruling party factions to reject those he accused of orchestrating the smear campaign.
"The public deserves far better. No rational faction within Zanu-PF should tolerate this farce, much less allow it to be propagated in their name," he said.
Posting on social media, Prof Moyo criticised political influencers for spreading "baseless innuendos and insinuations" about Mabhiza's role on the high-level trip, arguing that the backlash was rooted in partisan motives and misogyny.
The controversy erupted after Deputy Chief Secretary George Charamba shared photographs of senior officials accompanying the President to the Vatican. While images of Chief Secretary Dr Martin Rushwaya and Chief of Protocol Ambassador Gideon Gapare attracted little attention, Mabhiza's presence triggered a wave of online abuse.
Prof Moyo suggested that the outrage was driven by former opposition supporters "masquerading as backers" of a Zanu-PF faction. He argued that critics deliberately singled out the Attorney General while ignoring other officials in the delegation.
"While it is essential to hold public officials accountable, it is utterly outrageous and despicable to gratuitously smear them for partisan gain," he said.
He warned that the attacks risked overshadowing critical state business, including infrastructure agreements worth more than US$600 million.
"It is profoundly embarrassing and a national disservice that such vital discussions are overshadowed by clueless agitators who treat weighty state affairs like tabloid fodder," he added.
The comments come amid heightened political tensions within Zanu-PF and persistent speculation over factional rivalries.
Prof Moyo, who has lived in exile since the 2017 coup, urged ruling party factions to reject those he accused of orchestrating the smear campaign.
"The public deserves far better. No rational faction within Zanu-PF should tolerate this farce, much less allow it to be propagated in their name," he said.
Source - online
