(Last Updated on January 17, 2021 by GERALD NCUBE)
HARARE – The Zimbabwean Government has quickly distanced itself from statements allegedly made by the Minister of Defence Oppah Muchinguri where she blames the Chinese for the current global Covid-19 pandemic.
In a rather unusual interview by Simba Chikanza, a woman claimed to be Muchinhuri is heard weeping over the death of Manicaland Provincial Affairs Minister Ellen Gwaradzimba.
The woman claims that Covid-19 which was first recorded in Wuhan China in 2019 was “created” by the Chinese as a result of an experiment gone wrong.
“The Chinese… they are the ones who started their experiments and things got out of hand and now their experiments are costing us. They can’t control this now.
“They have cost us. Those whom we call our all-weather friends, look at what they have done to us,” says the woman alleged to be Muchinguri.
The recorded audio has divided the public, with some questioning the journalist’s ethics while others seemed not to be bothered by his methods.
However, in what is seen as an attempt to prevent a diplomatic fallout with the country’s ‘all-weather friends,’ Government was quick to denounce the utterances.
In a statement, foreign affairs spokesperson Constance Chemwayi says the Zimbabwean Government does not hold China responsible for the coronavirus.
“We wish to make it clear that the sentiments expressed do not reflect the position of the government of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe and China enjoy excellent relations,” said Chemwayi.
“The government does not hold the Chinese government responsible for the emergence and spread of the coronavirus that has affected every global citizen.
“Government appreciates that China has exercised global leadership in efforts to find both the cause and a solution to the pandemic,” Chemwayi added.
Muchinguri is no stranger to controversy related to the current global pandemic. Sometime last year, she claimed the virus was God’s punishment to the West for imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe.