Zimbabwean MMA star Themba Gorimbo has sparked fierce debate after weighing in on the Chatunga Mugabe shooting saga. His comments appeared on social media, where they quickly went viral among Zimbabweans worldwide. Supporters praised his courage, while critics accused him of disrespecting a former liberation leader.
He has openly demanded Chatunga’s arrest, accusing him of attempting to kill a fellow Zimbabwean in South Africa. Gorimbo did not mince his words, calling Chatunga’s late father, Robert Mugabe, a ruthless dictator. According to him, Zimbabwe remains dangerously confused and divided over the Mugabe family’s legacy. Many citizens, he argues, defend power and privilege before they defend ordinary lives.
Defending the Victim, Not the Powerful
Gorimbo insists the shooting victim’s life should matter more than the alleged gunman’s family name. To him, support for Chatunga ignores the suffering many Zimbabweans endured under Mugabe’s long rule. He stresses that South Africa has sheltered millions of Zimbabweans fleeing economic collapse and political persecution.
Click here to read what Gorimbo said
Therefore, Gorimbo finds it hypocritical when some Zimbabweans defend Chatunga simply because the incident happened there. For him, fair justice means Chatunga must appear in court like any other criminal suspect.
Condemning a Dictatorial Legacy
He believes the former president ruled through fear, brutality, and the silencing of opponents. Thus, he argues, no Mugabe family member should expect automatic sympathy or special treatment from the public. He even uses the Shona phrase “mwana wenyoka inyoka,” meaning the snake’s child remains a snake. With that phrase, he signals deep bitterness toward the Mugabe dynasty’s unresolved history.
Calling for Accountability and Consequences
Despite anticipating backlash, Gorimbo remains unapologetic about his stance on the case. He acknowledges critics will label him bitter, yet he embraces that description regarding the Mugabe family. For him, bitterness reflects painful memories of decades under authoritarian rule.
Importantly, Gorimbo says those days of impunity must end for everyone, including powerful political families. He calls on authorities to apply the law without fear or favour in Chatunga’s case. Only then, Gorimbo believes, can Zimbabweans begin confronting their past and trusting justice again.