By Levison Chambati – The opposition’s reaction to Joana Ruvimbo Mamombe attending the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo in Masvingo yesterday exposes a worrying inability to distinguish party politics from national duty.

Some opposition voices have gone as far as branding Mamombe a “sellout” simply because she attended an event that was officially opened by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

But let us be clear: Sanganai/Hlanganani is not a ZANU PF rally.

It is a national tourism and business platform organised through the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, bringing together tourism operators, exhibitors, international buyers and other stakeholders to promote Zimbabwe as a tourism destination.

And there is an even more important point: Joana Mamombe is the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Tourism and Hospitality Industry.

Her role is not to attend only events organised by people from her political camp. Her parliamentary responsibility includes engaging the Ministry, following developments in the tourism sector, interacting with stakeholders and exercising oversight on Government programmes.

So what exactly was she supposed to do, stay away because President Mnangagwa was opening the Expo?

Does attending a national event mean an opposition MP has suddenly joined ZANU PF Party?
Of course not.

President Mnangagwa attended Sanganai in his capacity as Head of State and Government. Cabinet ministers attended in their official capacities. Tourism stakeholders attended to do business and promote Zimbabwe. Mamombe attended in the context of her parliamentary responsibilities.

This is the difference between party politics and government duty.

The opposition can disagree with President Mnangagwa politically. That is their democratic right. But reducing every national event to a ZANU PF gathering only demonstrates political immaturity.

Zimbabwe’s tourism industry belongs to all Zimbabweans. Its success should not be viewed through partisan lenses.

If Mamombe participates in a national programme, engages tourism stakeholders and performs her parliamentary oversight responsibilities, she should be commended, not called a sellout.

Hands off Joana Mamombe.
Sanganai/Hlanganani is about Zimbabwe, tourism, investment, jobs and national development, not ZANU PF politics.

Nanette Allmark Rizz Wafa Jimmy Jombo Charowa Nelson Chamisa Nehanda Radio Tendai Chirau Taurai Kandishaya Parliamentof Zimbabwe