Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. ZANU PF National Chairperson Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has hit back at her political rivals and online bullies who she says are targeting her children and those of other ministers for backing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s continued stay in power.
In an interview with NewsDay, Muchinguri-Kashiri, who also serves as Defence Minister, said she would not be intimidated or silenced by social media attacks on her family. She said:
“Well, you have never seen me responding to trivial things on social media.
“We have important things to do, which include developing our country and we are busy preparing for the annual conference in Mutare, but on this one let me respond.
“Why involve our children in ZANU PF matters? I think those people are high on drugs.
“Social media is being used as weapons by our enemies; people are going to social media to fight, but honestly why involve our children?
“They should attack the mother, not my daughter. They want to silence me, but they will not silence me.
“My daughter is well groomed. She knows what is right and wrong.
“I have since told some of my fellow ministers that they should be on guard because people have turned evil out there, targeting our children.
“(Our children) can be drugged, in fact, we have said they should limit going out.”
Muchinguri-Kashiri’s remarks come after one of her children was accused of being involved in an underground criminal network.
Political analyst Tatenda Chakari said Muchinguri-Kashiri was right to protest against her children being targeted by opponents because of her political stance. Said Chakari:
“Muchinguri-Kashiri is entitled to her political opinions. Her daughter is a private individual who deserves respect and protection from unfounded allegations.
“Dragging her daughter into the public sphere with unsubstantiated claims is unacceptable and undermines the principles of democracy.
“Political disagreements should focus on policies and ideas, not personal attacks on family members who are not public figures.
“Let’s maintain a level of dignity and respect in our discourse and refrain from using personal attacks to score political points.”
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