Political Reporter
Armed men claiming to be law enforcement agents raided the home of Daily News Editor Guthrie Munyuki after an unfortunate mistake in an advert suggested President Emmerson Mnangagwa had passed away.
The error, which concluded with “May his soul rest in eternal peace,” was made by Munyuki’s sister publication, The Financial Gazette, in an advert congratulating Mnangagwa on his 82nd birthday.
Munyuki wasn’t home during the raid, but his wife and children were temporarily detained and had their phones seized. The gunmen even trailed Munyuki’s wife during her morning run, while others guarded the house. A Daily News executive shared that Munyuki’s brother, living in the same neighborhood, was also confronted by nearly a dozen men in two vehicles, demanding to know Guthrie’s whereabouts.
Lawyer Alex Muchadehama stepped in to seek clarity on the situation, meeting with police on Friday morning. The Daily News swiftly apologized for the mistake, attributing it to “lapses in the production process.”
In their apology, they stated, “We apologise profusely to President Mnangagwa, his family, his office, the government and the ZDF for the anguish and inconvenience that this inadvertent mistake caused”.
This incident comes at a tense time, following a military helicopter crash that was meant to transport Mnangagwa. Sources reveal that paranoia among Mnangagwa’s aides and loyalists is running high, leading to speculation that he skipped the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York because of such belief. However, an official statement cites a “packed schedule” as the reason for Mnangagwa’s absence.
Timeline of Events:
- Thursday: The Financial Gazette publishes an advert with the error.
- Friday: Armed men raid Munyuki’s home; Daily News publishes an apology.
- Friday morning: Lawyer Alex Muchadehama meets with police.
Context:
- Advert mistakes are not uncommon in Zimbabwean newspapers due to the advertising department’s use of old templates.
- Editors rarely review adverts before publication.
- The incident highlights the sensitivity and tension surrounding President Mnangagwa’s security.
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