TikTok suspends opposition leader’s account

Mncube, who is based in South Africa, told NewsDay that his account’s suspension stemmed from a promotional video in which he commended Mnangagwa for various projects undertaken for the benefit of Zimbabweans.

ZIMBABWE African National Congress president Timothy Mncube’s TikTok account has been suspended after sharing a video praising President Emmerson Mnangagwa for improving the welfare of citizens through his projects across the country.

Mnangagwa is currently serving his second term, and constitutionally his last in office, having been first elected in 2018.

Over the past weeks, his allies have been pushing for him to serve beyond this constitutional time frame.

Zimbabwe’s political and economic situation has, however, worsened since his assumption of duty, with food shortages, increased electricity loadshedding, a biting water crisis, skyrocketing prices of basic goods and services,  a poor health delivery system and civil servants crying for better wages and working conditions, aggravating the situation.

Mncube, who is based in South Africa, told NewsDay that his account’s suspension stemmed from a promotional video in which he commended Mnangagwa for various projects undertaken for the benefit of Zimbabweans.

He said he expressed his support for the president’s initiatives, citing specific projects that he believed were beneficial to the country.

“They suspended the promo page whereby when I want to promote what I post, I use my bank card so that I get more views, likes and followings. So, I complimented the Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa for doing certain projects and I mentioned those projects on TikTok,” he explained.

“As the Zimbabwe African National Congress, we are into smart politics. We do not just fight with other political parties. Our manifesto says we are not into chaos and war with anyone.

“When one does good; it is seen by the masses on the ground. But apparently there are other opposition parties which went to TikTok and complained that I did wrong by complimenting Mnangagwa for doing a good job for Zimbabweans.”

He said the TikTok owners said they were looking into the issue, adding that they had suspended the account until he lodged an appeal.

“I have already done that. So I am waiting for their approval or disapproval and I am going through that process,” he said.

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