FORMER Finance minister Simba Makoni yesterday disowned a bogus X (formerly Twitter) account which shares pro-Zanu PF or government posts.
In one post, the X handle @makonisimbash, with 535 followers as of yesterday, praises Zanu PF as invincible.
It was opened last month.
In an interview with NewsDay, Makoni said the account was fake.
“There is an account Dr Simba Makoni SH Makoni with a handle @makonisimbash, that’s not me. There are several accounts that were created before this one. I have reported to Twitter, but no action has been taken,” Makoni said.
“I suspect it’s being done by Zanu PF members who are trying to give an impression that I am with them.”
Zanu PF acting director for information, Farai Marapira distanced the party from the fake X account.
“He knows what to do, he can go and report it, but I don’t think it is Zanu PF. Our policies are very clear on disinformation or spreading false information. We have been very clear that we are very much against that or anyone who propagates that,” Marapira said.
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In one of the posts, Makoni allegedly posted saying Zanu PF was invincible.
“I have been following very closely on the Zanu PF’s just-ended conference and I discovered that the relationship between Zanu PF and the people is like water and fish relationship and it’s built upon unity, peace, development and, indeed, democracy. Zanu PF will remain invincible,” the account claimed.
When Sadc leaders held a virtual extraordinary summit on Monday, the impersonator said: “Sadc clearly endorsed the just ended Zimbabwe’s general elections and congratulated President ED [Emmerson] Mnangagwa for a resounding victory before sighting (sic) the election as ‘exemplary and a major victory for democracy’. The opposition has been left with no option, but to follow suit.”
Makoni was expelled from Zanu PF in 2008 for challenging the late former President Robert Mugabe.
He later formed the Kusile/Mavambo/Dawn party and contested the 2008 presidential election.
