Deputy Information Minister, Energy Mutodi, has been warned that he will regret his tweet characterising millions of Zimbabweans of Ndebele ethnic origin as foreigners (South African).
Mutodi on Tuesday recorded and posted a video of himself on social media where he insinuated that Ndebele people are foreigners who came to Zimbabwe while running away from Tshaka, a 19th century Zulu king who wrecked havoc in KwaZulu Natal.
Advocate Tinomudaishe Chinyoka, a lawyer and avid supporter of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, told Mutodi that he will regret his tweet. He said:
I think that when you reflect back on your work, this is one tweet you will most regret. At least l hope so comrade. This is really unfortunate. Zimbabwe is the sum total of its people, all of whom came from somewhere. Ndebele people in Zimbabwe are not South Africans.
Meanwhile, Mutodi has remained defiant amid criticism over his remarks. Responding to former cabinet Minister, David Coltart on Twitter, Mutodi wrote:
Coltart you are a lawyer but still can’t interpret tweets, let alone statutes. We have given the birthright to every person born in Zim irrespective of origin including yourself. Surprisingly, you believe perm secs have a say over Ministers! I’m disappointed…
Coltart had challenged the government spokesperson [Ministry of Information permanent secretary] Ndavaningi Mangwana to comment on Mutodi’s tweet. He [Coltart] had said:
This is a remarkable statement which ZANU-PF needs to clarify. What does @nickmangwana have to say about this? Does ZANUPF accept a Constitutional birthright or not?