Chin’ono Criticize Zimababwean Elites
HARARE | Award-winning Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has sparked controversy with a series of tweets highlighting the links between a Zimbabwean businessman and the country’s colonial past.
Chin’ono, known for his hard-hitting investigative reporting, drew attention to Simon Rudland, whose father George was a cabinet minister in the government of Ian Smith in the 1960s and 1970s. Simon Rudland is the owner of several businesses, including a cigarette brand called Rudland & George, which some believe is named in memory of his father.
Chin’ono questioned why the Zimbabwean opposition had not spoken out against Rudland’s links to the colonial government, and suggested that the opposition may itself have been compromised. He also raised concerns about the controversial phrase “Nyika Inotongwa nevene vayo,” which is used by the ruling ZANU-PF party and translates to “the country belongs to those with the strongest ties to it.”
Chin’ono asked ZANU-PF to clarify what they meant by the phrase, suggesting that it could be used to justify the appropriation of land and other resources by the ruling elite. He also drew attention to the stark economic inequalities in Zimbabwe, noting that while people were shouting political slogans, the Rudland family was enjoying wealth and privilege.
Chin’ono’s tweets have sparked intense debate on social media, with many Zimbabweans expressing their support for his criticism of the government and the opposition. Some have called for greater transparency and accountability from Zimbabwe’s leaders, while others have defended Rudland and accused Chin’ono of trying to stir up controversy.
The controversy comes amid growing concerns about political and economic instability in Zimbabwe, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and years of economic mismanagement. Many Zimbabweans are struggling to make ends meet, while the ruling elite continue to enjoy lavish lifestyles and political power.
As the debate continues, Chin’ono’s tweets are likely to fuel further discussions about Zimbabwe’s troubled history and its uncertain future.