Zanu PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu, has castigated a ZANU PF MP, Energy Mutodi for making reckless statements that may incite tribal tension in Zimbabwe.
Mutodi, who is the Deputy Information Minister, last week posted a video on social media where he suggested that Ndebele people are refugees from South Africa. He said then:
You will find that here in Zimbabwe, if you didn’t know, just about 1836 we accommodated thousands of South Africans who came into Zimbabwe fleeing from (King) Shaka, and they were being led by Mzilikazi.
Addressing a Zanu PF event in Bulawayo to review the indigenisation and economic empowerment policy, Mpofu expressed anger over Mutodi’s remarks. He said:
There are certain statements by certain leaders which are unacceptable to the party. There was a recent statement where somebody was saying there are three million South Africans in Zimbabwe.
That’s unacceptable, misdirected statement which is not from Zanu PF. You see what’s happening in South Africa (xenophobia), it’s because of such reckless statements.
Mutodi later retracted his statement and apologised on Wednesday saying that his tweet had been misunderstood.
Thanks Obert thats why we respect you… A ndebele must feel free to stay in the middle of Harare knowing that his relatives are there. Shonas must feel free to live in Tsholosthlo. A Ndebele who qualifies should be able to become a president, army commander, Prime
minister Obert, Simon this is what we want
That’s bevuka Beth lisela ngoba ukhuluma iqiniso siyabonga babawethu we are happy to have some one who can represent all tribes every body must feel safe and free in Zimbabwe regardless I language we are all Zimbabweans sahlukaniswa ngata tribalist we must be United always