Political Correspondent
Zimbabweans are buzzing with debate after a message allegedly from the Ministry of Defence wished President Emmerson Mnangagwa a happy 82nd birthday, but ended with a shocking “Rest In Peace” statement.
The message, which began innocently enough, took an awkward turn at the end, leaving many to question the nature of the mistake.
Ministry of Information Permanent Secretary Nick Mnangagwa stepped in, calling into question the authenticity of the message and seeking an apology from those who shared it without verifying its source.
“An apology at this point would have gone a long way,” he said, seemingly addressing Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, who posted the message on Twitter and invited clarification from Mangwana.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi chimed in, acknowledging that such mistakes can happen but emphasizing their costly implications.
Mzembi also recalled an incident where an Air Zimbabwe menu was presented to President Mugabe with a embarrassing error, reading “Chimukuyu neD_od_i” instead of “Chimukuyu neDovi”.
While that mistake was likely a prank, Mzembi believes the “RIP” blunder “spells doom” and highlights the need for attention to detail in government.
The controversy has sparked a lively discussion among Zimbabweans, with many weighing in on the significance of the mistake and the importance of accountability in government communications.
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