The late former President Robert Mugabe’s nephew Patrick Zhuwao has responded to social media claims that his uncle was of Malawian origin saying the name Matibiri was a nickname given to his father due to his Ndebele mannerism.

Posting on Twitter in response to Promise Mkwananzi who said Zimbabwe has been ruled by a Malawian and a Zambian, Zhuwao explained in detail how the name Matibiri came to be.

1/A lie that Robert Gabriel Mugabe is of Malawian origin is deliberately spread by distorting the name Matibhiri RGM’s father Gabriel Mugabe was brought up by his uncle Matibhiri; young brother to Chatunga Karigamombe who died leaving a young family

2/Robert Gabriel Mugabe was born the 3rd son and child of Gabriel Mugabe and Bona Mugabe nee Shonhiwa shown in this picture Gabriel Mugabe was a Gushungo of the Chidziva chieftaincy under Mambo Zvimba Mbuya Bona was a MaGumbo who was born in Gutu but having origins in Musana

3/Gabriel Mugabe was the son of Chatunga borne by Karigamombe of the Chidziva branch of the Gushungo Clan Young Constatine Karigamombe, one of Karigamombe’s sons and younger brother to Chatunga, was abducted by Ndebele raiders from Karigamombe’s Zvimba home in the 19th century

4/Constatine Karigamombe was made a slave & assistant to one of King Lobengula’s generals. During his enslavement, he assimilated the Ndebele language, culture and mannerisms He was so trusted that he eventually managed to escape and make his way back to his family in Zvimba

5/Having been abducted and enslaved by the Ndebele as a young boy, Constantine Karigamombe had Ndebele mannerism that his Karigamombe family gave him the nickname Matibhiri The Ndebele enslavement nickname is used by tribal politicians to distort reality

6/Chatunga Karigamombe, who was the biological father of Gabriel Mugabe, died relatively young with a young family Chatunga’s younger brother Constantine “Matibhiri” Karigamombe inherited Chatunga’s young widow & family. Gabriel Mugabe was brought up by his uncle Matibhiri

7/The only links Robert Gabriel Mugabe has with anyone of Malawian origin is through us his nephews. It came about after his sister, my mother, married my father who came from Malawi via Mozambique I’m proudly of Malawian stock but the Mugabes are definitely not from Malawi