HARARE - Has Vice President Joice Mujuru given us a sneak preview of what lies ahead in the event she succeeds President Robert Mugabe?
If that is the case, then God forbid!
Mujuru, touted as a front runner to succeed Mugabe, appeared to take leave of her senses by attacking the media and her colleagues in Zanu PF for tackling corruption during a women’s meeting in Chinhoyi at the weekend.
Mujuru needs free lessons that journalists are members of the Fourth Estate and one of the major tasks they have is to expose corruption and be the voice of the voiceless.
For the record, this is not the first time that Mujuru has strangely blamed journalists in cases where they will be doing their job.
She came up with a howler at the memorial service of her husband, Solomon.
The vice president, instead of taking the initiative to ask pertinent questions about how the decorated war hero died, blamed journalists for probing the circumstances behind his death. What a shame.
In her reasoning, the rot in public enterprises and the obscene salaries should be handled privately by government without the media reporting on it.
This is just crass. And we repeat, it’s a shame.
Mujuru’s rant against the reportage of corruption and scandals by the media can only be as bad as it can get.
She has, without a doubt, showed the kind of leadership she stands for.
The Vice President believes the media has no role in exposing corruption and correcting the moral decadence currently pervading parastatals.
Does she need to be schooled about the watch-dog role of the media in a democratic society?
Why would she object to the media’s interest and subsequent reportage on corruption, a major scourge in our society?
Has she gone off her rockers?
Or has she inadvertently showed us why there has never been decisive action taken against corrupt officials, including some in the top echelons of the ruling Zanu PF.
Since the Willowgate Scandal in which top ministers were sacked and one committed suicide after breaching governance conduct through shady vehicle deals, nothing concrete has been taken to crack corruption.
National resources have allegedly been plundered by senior government officials and in some cases their acolytes.
Should we turn a blind eye to corruption because Mugabe’s office is handling the issue as suggested by Mujuru?
Why should we take her seriously when her actions are a clear and deliberate assault on her colleagues in government and journalists who have gone on an offensive to fight graft?
Clearly Mujuru has lost it and her actions do not inspire confidence, considering that she occupies one of the highest offices in this country.
It is unfathomable to understand what inspired her address to the women in Chinhoyi and whatever it is, there is no excuse for her conclusion.
There are many inferences that can be drawn from this rather unexpected incident.
It leaves her leadership qualities cruelly exposed.
Leaders do not make such howlers.
They know the ramifications of being caught napping, particularly when there is a lot at stake.
One fatal boob will change the course.
And this is one that will loom large in both Zanu PF and the general public – that one of a leader who got it terribly wrong.
It’s an own goal!