MALAWI’S ambassador designate to Zimbabwe is a man who described President Robert Mugabe as an idiot and a horrible man in 2006 while he was an asylum seeker in Germany.
According to reports from Lilongwe, President Peter Mutharika has appointed Thoko Banda as the country’s new Ambassador to Harare.
Banda is the son of veteran Malawi politician Aleke Banda.
In 2006, Thoko described Mugabe – the man he will present his credentials to – as an “idiot” in an interview with a Germany publication The Foreigner (Full interview available here).
He was explaining how he fell out with the administrations of Bakili Muluzi and the late Bingu wa Mutharika, developments that forced him to flee into exile.
Banda said Muluzi and Mutharika had been fighters for democracy before turning into oppressors once they made it into government.
Western countries did not respond with sanctions because both Muluzi and Mutharika were, unlike Mugabe, smart enough not to know they “had to be nice to foreigners”.
Said the career diplomat: “You won’t hear about it in the West.
“You will hear about Zimbabwe, because Zimbabwe has an idiot. I am sorry, I know you are recording, but they have an idiot for president.
“This guy Robert Mugabe; I hope that he lives a very long time, so that one day he can go before an international tribunal. He is a horrible man.
“The only difference between Mugabe and some of the other leaders is that Mugabe hurts not only his own people but also foreigners. That is why they hate him so much in the West.
“Leaders like mine, they are cleverer. And I know how it works. They know, as long they are nice to foreigners they can stay.”
Analysts in Malawi said although he made the comments back in 2006, Banda’s unguarded utterances could undermine his working relationship with the Zimbabwean government.
Reports also claimed that Harare had received his appointment with reservations
Judge Joe Bidden
October 30, 2014 at 8:10 am
With those ZANU-PF thugs he won’t survive.
Zed Analyst
October 30, 2014 at 8:31 am
Elo lwanya!
Judge Joe Bidden
October 30, 2014 at 8:47 am
Olo maseting from the Malawian president that ambassador will have the most hostile environment in the world it’s like you poking the lion with a stick and then they throw you in the cage.
test@e
October 30, 2014 at 8:51 am
I urge Zimbambians to sort him out as soon as he enteres into their land. He overstepped his mandate and commented on an independent state.
IF NOT
October 30, 2014 at 11:37 am
Lets hope Mugabe has forgiven the guy so that they can work in harmony. elo cacine Mugabe alitumpa
Levy
October 30, 2014 at 2:15 pm
Kharma! What goes round comes around. Dancing time!!
JOHN ISAIAH BWANGA
October 30, 2014 at 3:23 pm
Mugabe is one of the best Presidents that Africa has ever produced. Respect is good for our leaders and I hope my president will forgive him and show him how to speak when out side Africa.
Biggy
October 30, 2014 at 7:44 pm
It’s amazing how Africans are full of praises for mediocre leaders. The truth is that Mugabe is no good.
Kajinga, S.
October 31, 2014 at 9:34 am
Thoko, Agony is being reminded that you insulted the crocodile in the river that your Boss has assigned you to go and do some fishing in it while the same crocodile is still there and has been waiting for such an opportunity.
Thoko, If it is a must that you have take up this appointment, make a public apology to HE Comrade Mugabe, swallow back the insults and make sure you receive the unreserved forgiveness.
Thoko, If this appointment was not a deliberate set-up by your boss to sort you out for being in bad books with his late brother, he will agree to post you to another country where you did not spoil the soup. Good-luck Thoko.
Kajinga, S.
October 31, 2014 at 9:36 am
Thoko, Agony is being reminded that you insulted the crocodile in the river that your Boss has assigned you to go and do some fishing in it while the same crocodile is still there and has been waiting for such an opportunity.
Thoko, If it is a must that you have to take up this appointment, make a public apology to HE Comrade Mugabe, swallow back the insults and make sure you receive the unreserved forgiveness.
Thoko, If this appointment was not a deliberate set-up by your boss to sort you out for being in bad books with his late brother, he will agree to post you to another country where you did not spoil the soup. Good-luck Thoko.
herve starlin
October 31, 2014 at 9:46 am
iyo aliponta! anyway cimbwi pakulila!
dr
October 31, 2014 at 6:58 pm
its a lie mugabe is not an idiot, he is a piece of sheet