Baba Jukwa's victims speak out

SEVERAL individuals whose phone numbers were posted on Facebook by a journalist using the name "Baba Jukwa" have demanded his arrest for tormenting them and their families.

The victims recounted how they were affected by the intrusion into their privacy by some anonymous callers.Some of them called for the immediate arrest of "Baba Jukwa", while others said those behind that Facebook page should apologise to the nation.

Two South Africa-based Zimbabwean journalists, Mkhululi Chimoio and Mxolisi Ncube, were exposed by hackers as being part of the syndicate that runs the "Baba Jukwa" Facebook page.

Environment, Water and Climate Minister Saviour Kasukuwere vowed to take action.

"It was a very bad situation where I received phone calls from all over the world with people intruding into my family unnecessarily," he said.

"Obviously, we're going to take action on that."

Presidential spokesperson George Charamba, whose mobile phone number was posted on Facebook by "Baba Jukwa" as President Mugabe's, was also not spared from the abuse by unknown callers.

He said those behind the page should apologise to the nation and to him in his personal capacity.

"They (Baba Jukwa) gave Charamba's number claiming it to be President Mugabe's number," he said.

"I received numerous calls and most of them were however congratulating the President and of course some were insulting me.

"There was gross intrusion in my life and those behind that Facebook page should apologise to the nation and my person if we're to have a starting point."

Charamba said at one point "Baba Jukwa" posted his number claiming that it was the number of a girl who was searching for a serious boyfriend.

"I endured three months of courtship from several boys from South Africa and others in the United Kingdom who were using anonymous numbers," he said.

Charamba said he reported the matter to the Posts and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.

A senior security official who refused to be named said the architects of "Baba Jukwa" Facebook page were an extension of the illegal regime change agenda and must be sued.

"Baba Jukwa and company should be sued by the whole nation," he said. "What they did was an extension of the illegal regime change agenda that dismally failed."

Zanu-PF deputy director of information Psychology Maziwisa, who was accused by "Baba Jukwa" of murdering Edward Chindori-Chininga, said his reputation was heavily damaged by the postings.

He said those behind that Facebook page should have their day in court. "It was a traumatic experience, highly defamatory and by far the most offensive thing that I've ever come across in my entire life," he said.

"He (Baba Jukwa) accused me of having killed Chindori-Chininga - itself a completely absurd allegation given that I wouldn't harm even a fly. They must have their day in court, no question about that."

Chegutu MP Dexter Nduna said he was also keen to see those concocted fictitious allegations masking themselves as "Baba Jukwa" appearing before a court of law.

"I was insulted together with the Commissioner of Police Augustine Chihuri on unfounded allegations," he said. "It was a traumatic period and insults were coming from everywhere. Given an opportunity, I would seek recourse or compensation on what they have done to us."

Zanu-PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa, who was also accused of being a murderer, said he had no plans to sue anyone.

He said he was not a follower of social media and thus was not aware of the damage caused by the publication of his mobile number on Facebook.

For over a year, Ncube and Chimoio claimed to be moles at the heart of President Mugabe's government - but their recent outing has revealed they are nothing more than two struggling journalists who tried to use the popularity of the page to con Zimbabweans.

In e-mails released by the hackers, "Baba Jukwa" is seen telling a friend that his claim that President Mugabe had placed a $300,000 bounty on his head were a lie designed to evoke sympathy. Ncube is also shown to have complained to Chimoio that Zimbabweans were not a giving lot after his pleas for donations drew a trickle.

Ncube is a former police officer and father of two girls who is also a correspondent for The Zimbabwean newspaper published from England. In August last year, Ncube wrote a story in the paper claiming Zimbabwean authorities had launched a clampdown code-named "Operation Clean House", which he said was "targeting successful Zimbabwean antithesis politicians, army deserters and satirical reporters in exile, who embody freelance contributor Thuso Khumalo and The Zimbabwean's twin of Ncube and Mkhululi Chimoio."

In the same article, he claimed that following last year's harmonized elections, many had predicted that "Baba Jukwa" would "pass", but claimed that the shadowy character's recognition "has refused to wane".

"The 'rogue spy' had usually underneath 300,000 supporters when polls were conducted and hardly a month later, has combined some more than 68,000 new ones. Some of his posts still appeal as many as 850 comments (sic) and tighten to 1,000 likes. He has vowed to continue fighting ‘till my immorality celebration Zanu (PF) goes'."