HARARE – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday rejected comments by his defence minister that the coronavirus is God’s punishment on Europe and the United States for imposing sanctions on Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa issued a statement contradicting Oppah Muchinguri just as Britain’s ambassador to Zimbabwe met the health minister and called for “clarity in leadership” as the country braces for an outbreak of the pandemic.
“Pandemics of this kind have a scientific explanation, and know no boundary, and like any other natural phenomenon cannot be blamed on anyone,” Mnangagwa said, without mentioning Muchinguri by name.
Muchinguri told a rally in Chinhoyi on Saturday that “God is punishing them,” in reference to European countries and the United States where the disease has spread after being first identified in China last December.
Muchinguri was roundly criticised over the “ignorant” and “callous” statement which was published around the world.
In fact, the disease has killed more people in China, one of Zimbabwe’s last remaining international allies, than any other country.
“Now they’re staying indoors while their economies are screaming like what they did to ours by imposing sanctions on us,” Muchinguri added.
Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba also claimed on Twitter that the coronavirus was a “disease of affluence.”
The apparent denialism by Zimbabwean officials prompted a meeting between Britain’s ambassador to Harare, Melanie Robinson and health minister Obadiah Moyo.
Robinson later revealed that they had “agreed on the importance of urgency and clarity in leadership, coordination and communication based on Zimbabwe’s preparedness plan.”
Britain has contributed £1.7 million through the WHO, including public health emergency supplies.
Striking a conciliatory tone, Mnangagwa said: “My government empathises with the affected people around the globe and stands ready to assist in whatever ways within our capacity. We send condolences and our solidarity to all those who are already suffering, and strength and good health to those in need.”
Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe had to “act early, and we must act sensibly” as the country remains on edge fearing an imminent outbreak.
“Currently, we’re one of the lucky nations,” Mnangagwa said, as Zimbabwe maintains that it has no confirmed positive case of coronavirus.
“However, we must not rest on our laurels. Now is the time to look after each other and think especially about the weak and the vulnerable. Do not take unnecessary risks. Do not belittle this threat.”
On Monday, it was confirmed that a British tourist who fell sick in Victoria Falls but was cleared after being told she was reacting to anti-malaria treatment had tested positive for coronavirus after landing back in London.
Health officials are currently tracking down people who came into contact with her in Victoria Falls. The town, which hosts most of Zimbabwe’s tourist arrivals, has no capacity to test for coronavirus and samples will be sent to Harare.
