The immediate association with the name “Mugabe”, automatically elicits thoughts of one Robert Gabriel Mugabe, who is (in)famous for his dictatorial rule over our neighbouring country Zimbabwe.
However, a different Mugabe has stolen the headlines in South Africa over the past few days, for (surprise, surprise) all the wrong reasons.
Zimbabwe’s first lady Grace was accused of assaulting Gabriella Engels with an extension cord.
Although the young model immediately laid charges of assault against Mugabe (Mrs), it became evident that the police reacted slowly due to the high profile of the person they were tasked with arresting.
First the matter was being investigated. Then it was a guessing game of whether the “suspect” was still in the country or not. Finally, it was confirmed that Grace was still in the country and even though charges had been formally laid against her, she made no attempt to grace the court in which she was to appear, with her presence.
As an afterthought, Mrs Mugabe tried claiming diplomatic immunity, even though she was not in South Africa on official business. Nice try.
Suddenly news broke that Bob (the real Mugabe), was on a flight to South Africa, to come to his wife’s rescue.
Now, only a few days ago, Robert was addressing the media in Zimbabwe, declaring that any natives of Zimbabwe who stood accused of murdering white farmers in the controversial land grabs, should be immune from prosecution.
On Bob’s arrival in the country, I wonder if he was given the 21 gun salute that he received on a recent state visit to the country (the same state visit where he chased away a white journalist mumbling “I don’t want to see a white face”).
So not only is the government of South Africa celebrating such bigotry and hate speech, they appear perfectly happy to remain silent on the issue of Bob’s exoneration of murder in his country. Come to think of it though, I don’t recall any of the opposition parties coming out in denouncement of these comments either.
South Africa took the right path in 2016 by banning Steven Anderson, a pastor from the USA who was promoting hate speech against the LBGT communities around the world, and was inciting violence against them.
But then again, this was the same country that denied the Dalai Lama a Visa, to enter South Africa for Desmond Tutu’s birthday.
It seems our government is very fickle when deciding who they deem undesirable in our country and who they’re willing to turn a blind eye for.
Just ask Omar Al-Bashir. His genocidal crimes have earned him top spot on the International Crimes Court’s wanted list.
A true reflection of a government is who they choose as bedfellows and those who they keep at arm’s length.
A true reflection of a government is those they choose as bedfellows and those who they keep at arm’s length.
Sadly, South Africa’s bright reflection has turned into muddy water, with little hope of being seen as a moral country anytime soon.