The remarks received audience via a video that circulated on social media although I have my doubts whether it was indeed meant for public consumption. That being said, the video has reached us and we must deal with the pertinent facts and issues it raises.
In the presence of South African delegates and the South African President, Jacob Zuma, President Mugabe jokingly passed a remark that there was no how Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi could have won her race for the African Union chairmanship. Mugabe emphatically stated that the loss was written all over, and that even before the contest, he had already written Venson-Moitoi’s obituary regarding the chairmanship. There is a deliberate mention of the presence of South African delegates in that gathering and their well recognisable laughter and amusement to the speech for reasons to follow. The deliberate mention of the South Africans is a kind reminder that in our sleep, Botswana has always regarded itself as a strong ally, both at trade level and at diplomatic level and we have always believed we were blood brothers. Here they are, seen in their true colour and spirit found secretly participating in a gossiping session. Let me not be derailed.
