A storm of controversy has erupted among Zimbabweans from various political backgrounds following a message purportedly from the Ministry of Defence that included a “Rest In Peace” closing statement addressed to President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.
The message, which initially conveyed warm regards for the President’s 82nd birthday, took a sharp turn at the end, sparking intense discussions nationwide.
Citizens are bewildered by how such a significant error could occur in formal communication intended for the head of state.
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Nick Mnangagwa, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, expressed skepticism about the authenticity of the message and cited it during his remarks on social media. He emphasized the need for a formal apology from those responsible for distributing the misleading message, seemingly referencing Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, who had urged spokesperson Nick Mangwana to clarify the situation on Twitter.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Walter Mzembi chimed in, acknowledging that such slip-ups, while unfortunate, can have serious repercussions. He recalled a previous gaffe where an Air Zimbabwe menu mistakenly presented an incorrect dish name that raised eyebrows at the time.
“This latest ‘RIP’ blunder is yet another costly oversight that underlines a systemic failure in attention to detail,” Mzembi noted. “While the mistake concerning President Mugabe was seen as an unfortunate joke, this incident regarding Mnangagwa could have dire consequences.”
He continued to stress the importance of meticulousness in government communications, warning that careless errors not only tarnish public messaging but can also result in staggering financial losses—pointing to instances of exorbitant costs associated with government contracts and unaccounted funds, such as the unresolved “Zecgate” scandal that left a hole of $100 million in the nation’s finances.
