They sat side by side with ZANU-PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa whose party has been in power for 43 years. Veteran actor Sello Maake Ka Ncube and media personality Pearl Thusi wore ZANU PF scarves and joined some journalists on a tour of Zimbabwe in what many labelled as an effort to cleanse the president’s image while disregarding the challenges faced by the ordinary Zimbabweans.

UNDER FIRE

Pearl and Sello’s visit comes ahead of Zimbabwe’s general elections on 23 August. Their visit and alleged support of the party were labelled by many as unethical and having the highest lack of moral compass. In their posts, they used the hashtags #ZimbabweLivesMatter. Reports have stated that the trip was by Zunaid Moti, who is the owner of the Moti Group, a conglomerate with a diverse international portfolio including mining, property development, and aviation. "If hypocrisy was a person, Sello Maake Ka Ncube would be a champion. Shame on you from today I have no respect for Sello Maake ka Ncube his wife and Pearl Thusi. They are sellouts and mercenaries supporting murder and corruption," a social media user wrote. "Celebrities will sing any tune for supper. I am disappointed that Sello Maake KaNcube and Pearl Thusi choose Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF which have displaced millions of Zimbabweans and resulted in an unprecedented influx of illegal immigrants into South Africa. Zimbabwe wake up" added one of many others. 

THE RULING PARTY

Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu-PF is reported to have a history of violence, looting, and subjugating the country’s people, resulting in ‘unequal power and unequal life chances.’ It has also been reported to be notorious for personal violence since its formation in 1963. In the early 1980s, they were accused of running terror campaigns to intimidate people into voting for them. After gaining independence, it is said, that Zanu-PF perpetrated genocide, against the people of Matabeleland, which is considered the worst crime known to man. It has been reported that children born to Zanu-PF politicians have access to the best healthcare, education, land, and other resources, while others do not.  

PEARL BREAKS HER SILENCE

Before the backlash, Pearl posted several tour sites. "The reason I came to Zimbabwe was to show the world how beautiful it is. Come to Zimbabwe and experience its magic. Experience the power in Zimbabwe and spread the word," she wrote. "Thank you so much for the invitation and I can’t wait to return and change the narrative of what Africa looks like to the entire world. I’m so proud to be an African. One more African nation ticked off the list! Can’t wait to see who’s next! Thank you for your incredible hospitality Zimbabwe," she wrote on her socials before the backlash. She later came forward to explain in an Instagram live video that there was nothing political about her visit. She said she was tricked to wear the Zanu- PF scarf and she didn’t want to seem rude. "I was planning to not say anything, generally once people have made a decision, you can’t change their mind," she says. "When I was asked to go to Zimbabwe, there was one thing I was told: to showcase Zimbabwe to the world. To show a different narrative of Zimbabwe, to invite them to come and spend money and show it’s powerful and incredible in its special ways," Pearl says they never planned to meet the President. "When we arrived at the gala dinner, we were told that there’s a state visit." She refuses to apologise to anyone. "I did not know I was going to be at the state house, and I didn’t know I was going to be in a situation that was going to look politically charged. We were told we were going to serve a tourism moment." Sello has remained mum about the matter.