Violet Gonda: It is difficult to understand why a regime would cause so much suffering on its own people. My guest on the programme Hot Seat is outspoken political analyst Dr. John Makumbe . In today's discussion we're going to try to understand the mindset of the Mugabe regime. This is a regime that has been inflicting terror on civilians with impunity. Some say Jocelyn Chiwenga, the wife of the commander of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, represents in stark form the mindset of Zanu PF. I am going to start by playing a discussion I had with Mrs. Chiwenga last week. This was a day after she assaulted photojournalist Tsvangirai Mukwazhi at Makro Wholesalers in Harare . The journalist confirmed the assault with us, but Jocelyn was in complete denial.
Violet: Hello can I speak with Jocelyn Chiwenga?
Jocelyn Chiwenga: Yeh who is speaking?
Violet: Hello this is Violet from SW Radio Africa.
Jocelyn Chiwenga: From?
Violet: SW Radio Africa
Jocelyn Chiwenga: What do you want?
Violet: I wanted to find out if reports that appeared in the newspapers are true that you attacked a journalist.
Jocelyn Chiwenga: No they are not true at all and you know what? Why don't you book yourself in British Airways first class I will pay for it and you can come and see for yourself. You people started writing without checking. So now you have seen my answer I am suing you for 1 billion US and I mean business.
Violet: You are suing?
Jocelyn Chiwenga: They are not true.
Violet: Who are you suing?
Jocelyn Chiwenga: And I am not chef's wife. My name is Jocelyn Chiwenga. You have started all over again this war. You're not gonna win it.
Violet: Mrs Chiwenga you sound so angry why are you this angry?
Jocelyn Chiwenga: What do you think? If it was you what would you say!? You wake up in the morning and everybody in the whole world is phoning you, how would you feel?
Violet: Did you not attack people at Makro supermarket in Harare yesterday?
Jocelyn Chiwenga: Where you at the supermarket in Harare?
Violet: That's why I am calling you…
Jocelyn Chiwenga: If you were then why are you calling me?
Violet: To find out from you.
Jocelyn Chiwenga: I said if you were at Makro you would have been writing something else.
Violet: We have a journalist who confirms that…
Jocelyn Chiwenga: Oh, you have. Then why are you phoning me?
Violet: No but you are the one who has been accused…
Jocelyn Chiwenga: Because I replied. Because I have replied and I'm taking action that's why you are phoning me.
Violet: You are taking action against who?
Jocelyn Chiwenga: And who gave you my number? Who gave you my number?
Violet: But don't you think…
Jocelyn Chiwenga: For your own information let me tell you something.
Violet: aha
Jocelyn Chiwenga: This conversation I am taping it so you are, I know you are also taping it. And hello, yes I have the right to be angry; because you have started a war that you will not win! I am not Iraq !
Violet: Amai Chiwenga do you think it's right for people to just barge into shopping centres and start threatening people?
Jocelyn Chiwenga: Okay, okay let me tell you something…you are Zimbabwean right, are you not Zimbabwean?
Violet: I am Zimbabwean.
Jocelyn Chiwenga: You are Zimbabwean, no no no are you Zimbabwean?
Violet: I have answered…
Jocelyn Chiwenga: You are Zimbabwean or you are British?
Violet: I am Zimbabwean and I have answered that already…
Jocelyn Chiwenga: Okay. You see, you are what?
Violet: I have answered that already that I am Zimbabwean…
Jocelyn Chiwenga: Okay, are you the ambassador of Zimbabwe?
Violet: You know your words don't sound like those of a normal person or rational. What are you trying to imply here?
Jocelyn Chiwenga: You know what, you haven't really heard anything don't ever phone this number again do you understand me?
Violet: Amai Chiwenga, in the rest of the world people are allowed different points of views why is this not allowed in Zimbabwe?
Jocelyn Chiwenga: Ayiwa iwe listen the rest of the world is now at war with me including yourself!
Violet: I am not at war with you.
Jocelyn Chiwenga: We gonna pick you up baby! And you are coming to write the truth. So tonight watch BBC and CNN you will see it and Zimbabwe television, you will see the truth and then when you do, tomorrow you will be apologising.
Violet: Amai Chiwenga, but are you not ashamed of yourself that you hide behind your husbands power?
Jocelyn Chiwenga: ---- YOU MAN STUPID!!! (BANGS THE PHONE DOWN)
Violet: Hello?
Violet: And she hung up on us. But I did try to call her back and this is what happened.
A woman answers Chiwenga's phone: Hello?
Violet: Hello Amai Chiwenga?
Personal Assistant: It's not Amai Chiwenga, it's the PA. Can I help you?
Violet: Can I speak with Ami Chiwenga please?
Personal Assistant: I am sorry right now she is busy. She is in a meeting.
Violet: When can I talk to her?
Personal Assistant: ehh I am not quite sure, (Chiwenga can be heard talking in the background) ehh hold on.
Hello. I am behind the girl. Listen my baby darling. Read your email again. I am now suing you for $2 billion. BREAKING NEWS!! Bye!
Violet: You are suing me for 2 billion?
Jocelyn Chiwenga: (she hangs up)
Violet: (laughing) Dr. Makumbe your thoughts on this?
Dr. Makumbe: (laughing) I can lend you $2 if you want. I think it will help...
