Oppah Muchinguri made headlines on Saturday when she declared that Corona Virus was God’s punishment to USA and Europe for imposing sanctions in Zimbabwe. She said, “This corona virus that has come to other countries. These are sanctions that have been imposed by God on them. Now they are staying indoors. Their economy is bleeding. Trump should know that he is not God. The squeeze us so that we can go where? They should also be squeezed so they can feel the pain we feel.”
The defense minister was castigated by many health experts and politicians for misleading Zimbabweans with propaganda.
Lets see how the main news agencies in world reacted. News24 in South Africa posted the headline: Coronavirus ‘god’s punishment’ of west: Zimbabwe defence minister. In the article they lambasted Zimbabwe’s lack of preparedness and its mismanagement of the economy. eNCA also reported the same. Their posts on social media where followed by anger from their followers. They are not happy that Zimbabwean authorities are not taking corona virus seriously. They are also not happy because South Africa currently houses more than 2 million Zimbabweans which is causing serious competition for jobs. “The same people who are mismanaging the economy are also misleading people,” commented one follower. Some called for the deportation of Zimbabweans.
SABC also ran with the story.
Other South Africa media also capitalized on the Mnangagwa Mortuary Story. Zimbabwe is busy building mortuaries as they prepare for Corona Virus.
The statement also made headlines in India. News18 in India reported: Coronavirus is God’s Way of Punishing US and Europe, Says Zimbabwe Defence Minister.
The BBC also reported the statement from Muchinguri. They said it is expected from Zimbabwe given the hostility that exists between Zimbabwe and Western Countries.