Biti calls Mukupe a ‘drunkard, clown’; riled minister claims PDP leader on HIV treatment
DEPUTY finance minister Terrence Mukupe drew widespread condemnation again Thursday after he claimed that opposition politician and former cabinet minister Tendai Biti is on HIV treatment.
It was the second time Mukupe has caused outrage this week after he was strongly reprimanded by the government for claiming that the military would not allow MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa to take over power if the latter wins elections expected this July.
On Thursday tempers flared during a live radio debate which featured the now controversial junior minister and former treasury chief Tendai Biti who is also opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader.
Mukupe is the seating MP for Harare East with Biti one of his main challengers in the constituency.
Earlier this week, the Zanu PF official had described Biti as the country’s worst ever finance minister, prompting the radio station to invite the PDP leader to defend himself.
Programme presenters had a torrid time to restrain Mukupe from repeatedly interjecting while the PDP was speaking.
A frustrated Biti then said he found it demeaning for the radio station to invite him to debate a clown.
“Ndozvanda mbotaura zviye zviye kuti nyaya dzenyika hadzisi nyaya dzemubawa, hadzisi nyaya dzembanje (that’s why I said matters are State are not pub talk),” said Biti.
“If you hold a public office you must be serious; you can’t be a clown. So, kundidaidza kuno(inviting me) to come and debate with such clown, I find it very demeaning.”
Mukupe shot back saying; “If you are going to start trading insults … can you take that back! Biti has a problem of always resorting to insults.
“Every time you do an interview you want to insult people; present facts, don’t insult. Just deal with facts don’t insult people Mr Biti.
“Wambonwa mapiritsi ako here nhasi (did you take your tablets today)?”
Stunned programme presenters reminded Mukupe that the show was being broadcast live.
But Mukupe persisted, adding; “Iye anondiudza zvekudakwa, iye anonwa maARV ake here nhasi (he (Biti) talks about me being a drunkard, but did he take his ARV tablets today).”
The minister’s remarks drew outrage on social media with many demanding his sacking.
Said Harare lawyer and independent parliamentary aspirant Fadzayi Mahere;
