Kasukuwere hurl obscenities at the partisan scribes

ZANU-PF National Political Commissar and Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere was last Friday physically restrained from charging at Zimpapers journalists whom he accused of targeting him.

Nicknamed "Tyson" after the oft-violent former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, Kasukuwere appeared agitated and quivered as he hurled obsceneties at the scribes. Kasukuwere had attended a Command Agriculture Field Day at Chaminuka Training Centre in Mt Darwin, the constituency he represents in the National Assembly.

As Guest of Honour Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa prepared to leave at the end of the event, Kasukuwere requested to address the media. He first saw off the VP and then returned to launch his tirade, which at times sounded disjointed.

"Who do you think you are, Herald?" he boomed.

Who do you think you are? You have very uncouth behaviour; idiotic and completely idiotic! Your sources who have been giving you information, who think they can hoodwink us and me, in particular, to do what they want and give you free lunch…Some of the land you have … (you have) not paid for, and to be particular, (Kadoma businessman Mr Jimayi) Muduvuri who is being careless. I am not scared. You can write it that Kasukuwere said Muduvuri 'stop it young man, and don't play games'."

The minister was not done. "And you, Herald, stop getting involved in petty issues dzemari dzecorruption. Hamunyari here?

Muri paper here riri worth so? If Muduvuri said handina kubhadhara mari for this mission yemadzimai, ngaandiudze. He is your source, isn't he?"

"Little (Herald political reporter Fellex) Share; an idiotic youngster who just runs around, kasina zvakanofunga mumusoro kake; kano shamisira chii? Idiot!"

Youth Development, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Patrick Zhuwao who was with Kasukuwere weighed in: "You can't write stories without any authority, especially when you tarnish people's names and if that person has confidence in what they are saying; they must come out.

"Now, if you are a serious newspaper that has no other agenda, then you actually allow for proper debate. Now, what happens is that there is a certain group of people that has become specific victims of The Herald . . .''

As Kasukuwere and Zhuwao were called for lunch, the former turned and said: "That little boy Share . . . go and tell him he is a son of a b***h." Zhuwao had to physically hold him back from advancing on Zimpapers' journalists.

Last Wednesday, members of the Zanu-PF Women's League held countrywide demonstrations demanding the expulsion of their deputy secretary, Eunice Sandi Moyo, and finance secretary Sarah Mahoka. The two are accused of undermining the authority of the League's secretary and First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe, denigrating Presidential appointees, abusing funds, and creating parallel structures. The Herald reported that organisers of the protests alleged Kasukuwere and Zanu-PF Harare provincial commissar Shadreck Mashayamombe had tried to sabotage the demonstrations.