Grace Mugabe must stop threatening public officials

The recent calling for the removal of the Prosecutor-General, Mr Tomana, by the First Lady Grace Mugabe, as published in the Herald of 1 July 2015, is a clear case of over zealousness by a runaway wife-official hiding behind her husband the President. Not what Tomana is reported to have said but the trade-mark threats by Grace Mugabe are more worrying and must stop. Indeed it is not good for the First Lady to get over excited behind the microphone!

I do not agree that children as young as twelve years should marry or be married. They are children who must be protected and remain in school. Mr Tomana is better off explaining himself or withdrawing his statement. While we don't condone his attack by the First Lady, we certainly condemn his lack of professionalism as exhibited in his previous role as Attorney General.  

I do not wish to delve into the rotting Zanu PF and government insides but wish to warn that such threats on public officials by a First Lady are a bad sign to our country and national interests, if not national security interests. This lady is now capable of threatening even our entire state establishment, including the state security establishment, to her whims. That her wishes are swiftly complied with by the state machinery is a tragedy and shame that must be challenged.

These public threats by Grace Mugabe cannot be ignored; especially after her recent threats against the former Vice President Mai Mujuru which were quickly executed by her husband President through an excitable and imprisoned Zanu PF. Ray Kaukonde faced a similar fate after being publicly threatened by the same lady at a rally.

The constitution is quite clear on the procedures for removing the Prosecutor-General and the First Lady must be advised of them as she is quite off-side on this. If she feels strongly about her views on the matter she should still follow the procedures and must understand that in a normal country public officials are not fired at rallies!

Recently Grace Mugabe ordered the police to leave vendors on the streets but now the same vendors are being hounded by the same predatory government threatening to unleash another "Murambavendors" clean-up. Now the innocent vendors are being toyed with through the Zanu PF succession battle.

It is not good for a First Lady to participate in brutal politics to the extent that Grace Mugabe is doing. She is setting a bad precedent that should not be allowed to develop into our national political customs. Our African custom obliges us to respect her and we are pained when she does such behavior contrary to her role and our national customs. With all due respect to her position and status I appeal to her better senses and urge her to remain honourable at all times. On this one she may learn a better doctorate from Mai Sally Mugabe.

I am calling on all government officials to rise above such abuse of office and to ignore any direct or indirect threats by the First Lady. All public officials must stick to their oath and do their work professionally. President Mugabe must quickly learn to keep bedroom issues at home and ignore any such pressure and threats on the government.