Zimbabwean Newspaper Apologizes for Gaffe Suggesting President’s Demise
By Kwedu News
One of Zimbabwe’s national newspapers, The Financial Gazette, has apologized for publishing a congratulatory message to President Emmerson Mnangagwa on his birthday, but with a grave, “May his soul rest in eternal peace” mistake.
The phrase, typically used in condolence messages, which sparked widespread concern.
The Daily News editor, Guthrie Munyuki, and executives from Modus Media, promptly apologized to President Mnangagwa, Defence Minister Oppah Muchinguri, and Central Intelligence Organisation chief Isaac Moyo at State House.
Munyuki attributed the mistake to a production error.
Deputy Chief Secretary for Presidential Communications, George Charamba, revealed that Mnangagwa accepted the apology and even joked.
“Where are the flowers for the dead man?” President Mnangagwa is said to have joked.
Charamba shared Munyuki’s letter of apology, dated September 19, expressing profuse regret for the anguish caused.
The Daily News staff are said reused a condolence message, forgetting to replace the phrase with celebratory wishes.
The meeting is also said followed an unsettling incident at Munyuki’s home, where unidentified gunmen, claiming to be law enforcement, confiscated phones from his family and searched their messages.
