About 1,000 members of civil society groups in Bulawayo staged a protest Thursday against remarks by President Robert Mugabe that the Kalanga people were not educated enough to get jobs in South Africa and were therefore, resorting to crime in that country.
Organizers of the march included Bulawayo Agenda, Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza), National Youth Development Trust and many others.
The outrage against Mr. Mugabe’s remarks continues despite damage control efforts by Information Minister Jonathan Moyo who explained Monday that the president was merely stating a precolonial stereotype and not expressing his conviction.
Protesters handed a petition to government officials at Mhlahlandlela demanding an apology from Mr. Mugabe, among other things.
They also petitioned the Human Rights Commission to investigate his remarks and determine whether they reflect government policy, acording to Bulawayo Agenda boss Mmeli Dube.