by Innocent Mujeri
There have been mixed reactions from Zimbabweans over Obert Gutu’s apology for the role he played in calling for sanctions to be imposed on Zimbabwe.
Gutu, who is the former MDC-T Spokesperson and prominent Harare lawyer, recently made a public apology to the people of Zimbabwe for supporting the imposition of sanctions that have caused untold suffering to the people of Zimbabwe.
Zanu PF Information and Publicity Director, Tafadzwa Mugwadi commended Gutu for apologising and urged him to help in calling for the removal of these punitive embargos.
“You have done the right thing my brother by apologising. It’s never too late to join us in fighting these sanctions,” said Mugwadi.
Political analyst Abraham Kausa said, “This is best coming from a Zimbabwean politician. We have to be remorseful for the damage we caused to our nation. Thank you Gutu for coming out first”.
Labour, Economists and African Democrats (LEAD) president Linda Masarira said she respect Gutu for coming in the open and apologising.
“I respect Gutu for what he did. When politicians want power, they can do anything, including calling for sanctions. I’m happy that Gutu has realised that sanctions are a tool to destroy the nation of Zimbabwe and not to help the opposition to get to the corridors of power as wrongly thought by others. I now urge other opposition leaders, particularly those in the MDC to follow suit and denounce sanctions, “said Masarira.
One Nyarai Humba went on Twitter and said it’s pleasing that Gutu has learnt from his past mistakes and has now seen the error of his ways.
However other people wanted Gutu to explain why he supported the imposition of sanctions that have affected thousands of the local people.
“Why in the first place did you call for those sanctions? On whose behalf? So you were doing that for personal reasons? Wonder how you became a lawyer with so cheap a mind. Lawyers are supposed to be sophisticated,” fumed one Twitter user Never Makaza.
Political analyst, Tafara Shumba said although he had forgiven Gutu, he still wanted him to explain the exact role he played for sanctions to be imposed on Zimbabwe.
“Tell us the part you played and mention all actors who were involved. As for you, I personally forgive you,” said Shumba.
Another Twitter user, Edward Zvavareyi, said “apologising only may not be enough. Can you meet the same authorities that you asked the sanctions from and advocate for sanctions removal?”
Zimbabwe has been under sanctions for almost two decades. However, the opposition members were hiding behind a finger choosing to call the illegal sanctions, travel restrictions.
However, the coming in the open by Gutu to apologise for advocating for the imposition of sanctions showed that the opposition were the architects of the sanctions, which have caused untold suffering to ordinary Zimbabweans.
