Paul Nyathi
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa had issued a statement warning Zimbabweans to avoid the spread of the Coronavirus during the festive season.
Minister Mutsvangwa who last month hosted a huge birthday party which had several ministers and senior government officials warned citizens against partying over the festive.
Several ministers and guests gathered in Harare at the end of November to celebrate the 60th birthday of information minister Monica Mutsvangwa with no mask in sight.
Zimbabweans reacted with anger after pictures emerged showing ministers Mutsvangwa, Joel Biggie Matiza, Ziyambi Ziyambi and Kazembe Kazembe at the shindig which went on late into the night.
The pictures were shared on social media by government spokesman Ndavaningi Mangwana.
In response, Mutsvangwa said she had no regrets after her family organised the surprise 60th birthday bash for her.
“So, my family cannot host a birthday party for me?” she asked rhetorically when asked for a comment.
“I have attended several events in the last week alone and then my family surprises me with a party with 50 guests comprising of my best friends and then it is a problem?”
Speaking in a pre-recorded statement shared online on Saturday, Mutsvangwa, called on Zimbabweans to exercise extreme vigilance over the festive season to avoid intensifying the spread of Covid-19 in the country, something which they failed to do as cabinet ministers.
Minister Mutsvangwa said while the Government has put in place measures to help contain the spread of the virus, it was up to individuals to take necessary precautions to guard against the coronavirus.
“I am here to tell you that Covid-19 is still raging and claiming more lives,” she said.
“Far from claims that its strains have receded, the disease remains the number one enemy to human health.
“It is killing the young and old and continues to threaten our very existence.
“In keeping with World Health Organisations standards, the Zimbabwe Government has over the year contained the disease by scaling up testing, contact tracing, surveillance and enforcement.
“However, you and I should continue to play our part, do not let your guard down.
“Do it for your son, daughter, mother, father, brother and sister, all your loved ones.
“Do not be the ones to spread the disease to them.”