I feel it is of the utmost importance to apologise and clarify on some statements that have been misinterpreted and in some cases deliberately distorted and misrepresented.
First of all I deny categorically that I ever insinuated that the military would take sides in the upcoming harmonized elections. In November of last year. the military stood with the people in their cry for freedom. they stood with the leadership of now President ED Mnangagwa. and Snow they will stand with the people once again as they help secure our country in the build up to elections. I am a passionate supporter of both the President and our highly professional military and for that I will never apologize.
So while my words may have been taken out of context by aggressive and unruly opposition elements, let me be clear that I stand firmly with the President and Government in calling for free and fair elections. by the new dispensation we must show the world that we are not only open for business, but that we are committed to democracy and the freedoms which come with it. Observers from around the world have been invited to take part in this celebration of democracy.
When our nation and ordinary citizens are abused on the radio with vulgar language all the time by Tendai Biti. I will stand up for what is right. Though I was abused and insulted by the tone and content of Mr. Biti’s interview. I should not have responded in such a way, and I apologize for the offense I have caused for the remarks I made pertaining to ARVs.
With regards to the recent verbal abuse I received from the journalist in the ZBC studios. While his provocative behaviour, cheered on by his female counterpart, in itself was disgraceful. I do apologize for my untoward response of walking away from the interview. As Deputy Minister and representative of the Zimbabwean people, in future I must focus my passion for my people. Zimbabwe’s financial well-being and fierce commitment to the truth hither.
I wake up every morning with the honour of serving the Zimbabwean people, and I shall
HONOURABLE TERENCE MUKUPE DEPUTY MINISTER – FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT