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Mugabe criticized for hate speech on Heroes Day
Tererai Karimakwenda, SW Radio Africa
August 13, 2013

View this article on the SW Radio Africa website

On a day meant to honour the fallen heroes who fought in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, Robert Mugabe has been strongly criticized for suggesting that the opposition “go hang themselves” if they don’t like losing the July 31st elections.

Still gloating from victory in a disputed election, as more evidence emerges of rigging and widespread irregularities, Mugabe sent a chilling message to his main rival Morgan Tsvangirai, president of the MDC-T.

Speaking in Shona, the ageing dictator said: “Those who lost the election can go hang themselves if they wish to. But even if they die, dogs will not eat their flesh”. Referring to the MDC-T, Mugabe said: “We have thrown the enemy away like garbage,” and “We say to them you are never going to rise again.” Precious Shumba, a spokesman for Anglican Bishop Gandiya and coordinator at the Harare Residents Trust (HRT), criticized Mugabe for directing such strong language at “people that he allegedly defeated at the polls”. He also viewed the comments as an indirect threat directed at the judiciary.

“The matter of elections is before the Constitutional Court. Let the courts decide without making unnecessary comments that might be viewed as intimidating threats on the judiciary, to ensure that his victory is not overturned or challenged in any way,” Shumba explained.

Shumba added: “In victory, from my perspective, someone has to humble himself or herself so that if it is genuine, people will realize it was a contest and we must respect each other, rather than try to deal decisively with people that have allegedly been defeated.”

Reacting to Mugabe’s comments, the MDC-T spokesman Douglas Mwonzora said this was “typical of a deranged old man who always says those kinds of things. Mwonzora told SW Radio Africa Monday that they boycotted the event as they would be addressed by the same person they accuse of stealing the election.

Tsvangirai has lodged a legal challenge in the Constitutional Court (Con Court) and two others in the High Court, challenging Mugabe’s victory and seeking to compel ZEC to release pertinent documents from the July 31st poll.

It is no surprise that Mugabe ranted against the opposition and Western powers in his speech on Heroes Day. That has been a given for the past few decades. Pre-election messages run by the state-run media outlets were also full of hate speech directed at the opposition. Mugabe has also referred to gays and lesbians as pigs and recently said they should be beheaded.

Instead of trying to calm the situation down, observers have pointed to the remarks as being revealing of Mugabe’s attitude towards the opposition, as well as a sign of things to come. Worryingly, the hateful messages came as retribution against MDC-T supporters has intensified around the country.

SW Radio Africa is Zimbabwe's Independent Voice and broadcasts on Short Wave 4880 KHz in the 60m band.

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