Diplomat designate Thoko Banda called Mugabe ‘idiot’: Malawi set itself on collision course with Zimbabwe

October 30, 2014 Hudson Mphande -Nyasa Times 116 Comments

Malawi risk to face a diplomatic scandal with Zimbabwe after it has been revealed that the newly appointed Ambassador to that country Thoko Banda in one of his interviews around 2006 had called Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe an idiot.

Mugabe: Will he receive letters of credence from a diplomat who called him an idiot?
Mugabe: Will he receive letters of credence from a diplomat who called him an idiot?
Thoko Banda: Mugabe is a horrible man and na idiot
Thoko Banda: Mugabe is a horrible man and na idiot

The revelation has already sent the Zimbabwean Government working on a way to bar Banda from taking up his post due to the embarrassing comments made during his stay as a political asylum seeker in Germany.

The interview was posted on an online magazine The Foreigner, a German based online publication with the objective of giving voice to asylum seekers worldwide.

In the interview, Banda chronicled his nasty experience with the then autocratic government of Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda as well as his souring working relation with the both former president  Bakili Muluzi and late Bingu wa Mutharika, developments he said led him to flee the country twice.

Banda referred to Mugabe as an ‘idiot’ as he tried to explain how he found himself at loggerheads with Muluzi and Mutharika who themselves were ‘dissidents’ and fighters for democracy and a new constitution during Dr Banda’s regime.

He explained that the last government (Muluzi’s), that he served (as a diplomat) and the people he was working with in 2006 were dissidents before 1994 but changed when they were part of the same oppressive system.

“You won’t hear about it in the West. You will hear about Zimbabwe, because Zimbabwe has an Idiot. I am sorry, I know you are recording, but they have an Idiot for president. This guy Robert Mugabe, I hope that he lives a very long time, so that one day he can go before an international tribunal. He is a horrible man,” said Banda.

He went on to say that the only difference between Mugabe and some of the other leaders in Malawi is that Mugabe hurts not only his own people but also foreigners.

“That is why they hate him so much in the West. Leaders like mine, they are cleverer. And I know how it works. They know, as long they are nice to foreigners they can stay,” he said.

Added Banda: “To say it simply, people who are in power now are interested only in their own business. They are not bothered about the poverty of people in their own country. Definitely not. And the West is quiet about this. Because it is not that important to them, right now. They have other problems to worry about.”

Full version of Banda’s interview can be accessed on:  http://www.foreigner.de/in_thoko_banda.html

Banda was among the initial team of diplomats who were appointed soon after President Arthur Peter Mutharika took over and he was destined to go to Brussels to represent the country in Belgium and European Union.

His appointment raised controversies after questions came up on his academic credentials and in a turn of events his name appeared again on a list of diplomats released early this week and has been earmarked to go to Harare.

According to sources from Zimbabwe the Mugabe government has taken the appointment with reservation and a dossier by the country’s Central Office of Intelligence (COI) has already been forwarded to Zimbabwean President’s office for action on it.

Diplomatic experts have said that Banda’s utterances, though made back in 2006, were a cause to worry by the Zimbabwean government as it puts to question the relationship that will be there between Banda and Mugabe in the course of duty.

The experts suggest that as things are it would do Malawi good if the appointment is rescinded rather than waiting for a possible action from  Harare as the country has the final say on who is to be in the country whether as a diplomat or just a private citizen.

“This is very serious revelations but it only show one thing; that Malawi is not serious when it comes to background check on such appointments. This also reminds us on what happened to the newly appointed Director of the Office of Asset Declaration Christopher Tukula who just days after his appointment was arrested on ‘cashgate’ related issues,” said the expert.

Soon after appearing before Parliament’s Public Appointments Committee, Banda who is son to Malawi’s renowned politician Aleke Banda, angered Mutharika with his blatant lies on his qualifications and home of origin.

Apart from his qualifications Banda is also said to have told the committee that he comes from Thyolo, the President’s home, yet all along he has been known to have hailed from Tukombo in northern district of Nkhatabay.

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116 replies on “Diplomat designate Thoko Banda called Mugabe ‘idiot’: Malawi set itself on collision course with Zimbabwe”

  1. From the look of things, this diplomatic post has already been tarnished by this publication. I would edge the appointing authority to give this post to another upright personnel so that our relationship with Zimbabwe should not go hell wire.

  3. I think this guy is bad news. I have said it before and I am saying it again that the guy is a loose cannon – in fact he is a huge liability to our nation. Please release him to go back to Nkhata Bay to lie low. Otherwise he will cause a huge pandemonium and confuse everybody, and that will cost us big time.

  4. A Banda kutembeleredwa kwanu nkwanu basi mmati mubisala mpaka liti mwayiwona mphamvu ya Namalenga zakumudima zawuliridwa Leave Mugabe alone please,

  6. Thoko tiyene ku mudzi tizikalima. You are still a Tonga we will welcome you back just like the Father who welcomed his prodigal son in the Bible. We are Tongas we do not forsake our own even though you distanced yourself from us. Get out of the lime light, take some time off and just chill. Hope you have learnt your lesson.

  7. Does anybody understand why APM is holding on to this guy?? coz I don’t get it. He is as poor as a church mouse, he is way behind on his rent, utility companies constantly disconnect water and electricity at his place, he lives off unsuspecting women …..he owes people thousands of money …. The list goes on and on……. What the heck?????

  8. Thoko Banda also called Atupele Muluzi a terrorist because of his Islamic faith……. Remember that????

  9. Now he plans to call the US, German, Norwegian , and British Ambassadors, he wants to drag them into this mess. He plan to tell them that he is being persecuted by who? ….. Nobody knows……. He is forgetting that he gave the interview to The Foreigner at his own will He was not under duress. The biggest weakness this guy has is he tries to outsmart everybody and now he has been caught in his own web of lies.

  11. Thoko mind is still oppressed, what he have said about Mugabe is insult. I personal saying (Mugabe is one of the best president who stand and not shaken by opportunist)
    If Mugabe can lead SA for 6moths every thing can be in standard

  13. I know this guy very well. I have become increasingly concerned about the relationship he has with his daughter. It is commendable for men to be close to their children but this goes way beyond that. This is the strangest father-daughter relationship I have ever seen. It makes me very uncomfortable to see a 50 year old man share the same bed with his teenage daughter and who knows what happens under the covers! He needs some serious intervention. I don’t understand why APM keeps lifting him up on the pedestal.

  15. This is a diplomatic nightmare. Waiting to see how Mutharika, Nkondiwa and Chapola will handle this, because there is another bomb shell. Soon!!!! I hope you are listening.

  17. The reason he told all those lies is because he was trying to impress the white man. He was seeking political asylum in Germany ( as he has has done in every country he has been to). Never in his wildest dreams did he think the interview would come back to haunt him. This dude is an opportunist. His next move was to seek asylum in Belgium, APM, you’ve just messed up his grand plan

  18. Yalakwa…phunziro: Ukamayankgula osamayankhula monga ngati ndiwe chitsilu chopanda nzeru chifukwa tsiku lina zidzakuvuta!

  19. Thoko is a man who can speak truth to tyrants, just like his dear father once did. The Harare embassy will not be a comfortable posting for him, but who else might speak truth to Mugabe? Certainly not the usual timid hand-clappers who get these diplomatic positions!

  20. Thats why it is said, “ukayenda, uzisiya phazi chifukwa mlomo, udzakutsata”, I wish our political leaders could work towards improving their communication skills, they seem to excell at putting foot into their mouths.

  21. Really dont give a damn whether Thoko gets the post in Hararre or not. The truth is Mugabe is indeed an Idiot. Now he wants Grace to be president.

  23. This idiot Banda will certainly not be allowed to enter Zimbabwe. Reading his statements on Mugabe, one wonders about the quality of Malawian government officials. Does this buffon think that Africans should always scratch the white mans back to remain in their good books? Africa does not need leaders like this idiot anymore, we want proud Africans, not sellout. He said what he said just because he wanted to remain in Europe as a refugee, shame on this Banda, just hire me to run your intelligence!

  24. I myself i don’t have any problem with this idiot. My problem is with the people appointing him and those tasked with the responsibility of scrutinizing this appointment. The question is have we all lost our minds?why this dude man -he is a fake and it doesn’t need rocket science to decipher that.please wake up Malawi

  26. Thoko Banda was/is right Robert Mugabe is an idiot, a tyrant and a very good dictator, I hate him how I wish it would have been him not Chilupya Sata.

  28. Our wise people say ‘kayenda siya phazi, ukasiya mulomo ukutsata’. Mind your tongue Ada Banda. Kapena nditanthauzire mwambiwu mchingerezi — ‘when you walk, leave the foot, if you leave the lip, it will follow you’ kikikiki.

  29. This guy is SICK! he abused his fomer wife while in Germany, Malawians had to contribute money to buy an airticket from Germany to rescue her. Since then he has never allowed his ex-wife to see their daughter, he has poisoned the child to believe that her mother is dead and yet she lives here in malawi. Now they are strong romours that he sexually abuses the daughter

  31. Koma was he wrong if what I read that it is the wife that does the work for him? Some men are just men coz they put on pairs of trousers but brain wise, they are nuts. Zomwe amadziwa ndi nkhanza basi.

  32. What’s so special about this Thoko Banda guy? I am sick and tired of seeing an article about him on this online paper.

  33. The guy was saying the truth .Comrade Mugabe has brought suffering to many peolpe.
    Look at Zimbabwe now because of his leadership style the country has gone down. Now he wants his wife to succeed him. Truth sometime pains.

  35. Iyi sinkhani,zikaoneka komweko.A Mugabe anamukhululukira kalekale ndipo anayiwala.Atolankhani bwanji kukokomeza zinthu?Ena mukusekerera kuti asakamulandire?Nanu muzaziwona tsiku lina.

  36. This guy failed his failed his test while trying to be a diplomat, he lied about where he comes from, those were good reasons to withdraw him, but they insisted on going with him look now hes about to humiliate Malawi. I say withdraw him there are lots of Malawians who can take up this position this guy is a ticking time bomb.

  39. There is a strong rumor that he sexually abuses his teenage daughter. He has been seen sharing the same bed with his daughter in some hotel, this dude is psychotic people! A sexual predator!

    1. Wow that’s a serious accusation dude. I myself don’t care for the guy but dayum…..if that’s true I’m lost for words.

  41. This cat has serious issues! he sought asylum in the USA, Germany and it was his plan to seek asylum in Belgium. He needs a serious mental evaluation.

  43. I hope the Malawi Government Officials have had time to read the transcript of this interview. My advice is to issue a statement distancing your Government from this delusional lunatic before things get from bad to worse. What an embarrassment.

  45. Out of 3.3 million families in Malawi only Kamudzu family muluzi muntharika, kachali. Kaliati, chihana, banda are famillies that are proved to eat our tax money chilungamo palibe apa

      1. I want to expose how incompetent the Malawi government is in vetting individuals earmarked for important position!!!!!

        1. You don’t tackle the problem from outside. Deal with it in house. I have looked at the link with the much talked about interview. Is it as serious as portrayed by others here, no I don’t think so. He was impolite on Mugabe that’s right but he was expressing his opinion and everyone has a right to that. As to poor vetting procedures, you may be right but it doesn’t resolve the problem by a wide external circulation of the article. Move inside your country. Think of how you can sensitize your government on the problem, not in a malicious way but objectively.

          1. Don’t you think it is important that the host countries know the type of people Malawi sends to their countries? How would. You feel if Zimbabwe sent a diplomat to Lilongwe who called APM stupid???? You need to think outside the box dude!!!!

  51. Bwana APM zikomo munayesetsa kunkonda thokoyu but mwanayu ngokanika. I suggest he should not go to Mugabe land -akaphedwako. ingompasani u branch chairman wa ku Tukombo. Comrade mmene wakwiyiramo akachita kupotolola yekha pakhosi.

  53. Nyasatimes, learn to be patriotic when it comes to issues to do with the future of your country mainly when writing your stories.
    Other countries has also online publications but they don’t write only badstories about their own nation , NEVER….
    Whether what you have written here is true or false but get it into your skull that you are not tarnishing the image of Thoko Banda but rather Malawi as a nation in so doing sourwering the relationship between the two countries.

    2. What so bad about this article? My friend if you were to follow the American media in the way they follow up an individual when he or she has been earmarked for a Top Government post you would be shocked. What Nyasatimes has done here is nothing compared to what they do in the United States. Everything is laid out, including what or who you slept with, your school grades, Obama had to publicize his birth certificate, imagine.

      1. O Makhumba you are displaying your ignorance here.
        What Nyasatimes is doing is trying to avoid Malawi being embarrased when this idiot is denied an opportunity to present his papers to Mugabe. Do you know that the receiving Governments do their own investigations as well on all diplomats from other countries. You think intelligence ya Mugabe saziwa kuti Thoko uttered this nonsense… its better we do it ourselves.

    3. Mukhumba, holding your Government and people in important positions accountable is patriotic, that is what we are trying to do here. Sweeping things under the rug as you are suggesting is totally unacceptable. It is our God given right to speak up! So please don’t shut us up!!!!

  54. AT LEAST HIS FATHER RESPECTED ELDERS AND HE WAS DECENT ENOUGH TO KNOW HE CAME FROM NKHATABAY. NOT THIS IDIOT WHO HAS OPENLY RSFUSED TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE NORTH. MUGABE PLEASE DECLARE THIS RASCAL PI

  56. Please google Thoko Banda and read the interview on foreigner. I said this months ago this scandal would have been avoided, how do you get out of this one? You gonna tell Comrade that you are from Zimbabwe???

  57. Mr President, don’t say you weren’t warned!!! I have said this over and over again that you are going to be embarrassed by Bright Malopa and Thoko Banda but you chose to ignore the warnings. More to come keep on reading. Thanks!

  58. A liar like his late father,as once said by Late Kamuzu Banda ‘Aleke Banda wa bodza’. Like father like son.

  62. Hahahaha! Oh boy, it never rains for Thoko Banda; it pours! But I don’t think Mutharika made this appointment without being aware of this interview and the insults Thoko made to Zimbabwe’s president. The first appointment was reckless, but after learning their lesson I think they purposely did this one to bring to light Thoko’s stupid blunders and finally get rid of this cat. Well played Peter Mutharika!

    1. He is an opportunist who never had anything to do with his father. He never cared for him when he was sick. He came home after his father died hoping to capitalize on his father’s estate just to find out that he was left out of his father’s will, hence the bitterness towards his mother.

  67. YEAH THUS THE PROBLEM OF JOINING POLITICS WHEN YOU ARE POOR. LOOK AT THOKO NOW BECAUSE HE HAS NO ALTERNATIVE SOURCE OF INCOME APART FROM POLITICAL LOOTING VIA ANY PRESIDENT PREVAILING IN MALAWI. NOW SEE THAT THOKO IS BEING FORCE TO GO AND WORK IN MUGABE’S LAND .SHOULD HE BE HAVING ALTERNATIVE SOURCE FOR LIVING TOKO WOULD HAVE JUST DECLINED THE POST TO ZIMBABWE. UMPHAWI PA MALAWI,

  68. Have you read the full interview on foreigner? This man is a serial liar like his late father. Look at how he portrays Kamuzu and how my country “cut into pieces, throats, legs, tongues etc”. He is not fit. After all is this not the boy Aleke had with a concubine? he talks about Alekes family which family is that?

  69. The world needs to do away with this politics of inheritance!! The fact that his father was prominent in the politics of the country doesn’t mean his offspring would be the same. We have lots of capable people individuals out here who are not being given chances. Who is this Thoko intellectually after all?

  72. akulu akulu anati pochoka muzisiya phazi osasiya mlomo ukasiya mlomo udzakupeza nanga lero si izi akanasiya phazi sipakanaoneka pomwe anaponda

  73. the implications of this landmark revelation is that there is need for a thorough background check on political appointees let alone other important posts before a final decision is made…this also exposes the simplistic approach and nature of our committees and how we work in Malawi…

  75. One can see Malawians grinning from ear to ear.

    Malawians are always in a freezy when others are in a precaurious situation.

    Yet they come up with sayings like “We told you what goes round comes round”

    What about you now with your cheshire cat grins?

  76. If you read the actual interview on the link almost 90% of what he said are lies. How disgraceful. Despite all the opportunities and the luxuries that his father Aleke K Banda provided to him in his youth which we were seeing here in Blantyre he failed to take any of them. To AKB his father, he is everything that you would not want in a son.

    Amongst all the well educated and hardworking people in the country what does the President see in Thoko Banda to appoint him a diplomat? Whatever the case send him as a diplomat elsewhere and not Harare.

  77. Thanks for the link to that great interview. Banda may have denigrated the comrade, but that interview enhances his image more than it supports the detractor’s case.

  79. I hear this man is 50 years old. What does he actually do apart from lie? He looks handsome though.

    1. Yes he is 50 years old with nothing to show for. His first real job was given to him on a silver platter by Bakili Muluzi when he went to Japan and then Germany to the embassy. He lived miserably in self imposed exile until his died. He come home after his Dad died just to find out that he was left out of his Dad’s will. He now leaves off with any woman who is charmed with his white man’s accent.

  80. He will not be welcome in Harare for sure.
    Post him anywhere else.
    Comrade Mugabe is not someone to play around with. He is tough……..very tough!

      1. Thoko never thought that what he said in the interview could come back and haunt him! Who ever decided to post him to Zimbabwe must have know about this interview. Thoko you met your Match!!!

  84. Kodi naye Peter akumunyengelera Thoko Banda yo choncho bwanji? Malawi has got capable persons to take up that post. Why bothering with this idiot Thoko Banda?? Nxaaaaa

    1. this boy is not Tumbuka …he is a Tonga who originally came from Mozambique where APM a Lomwe is from. He was born in Thyolo as he said it himself.

  86. Much as I don’t support the picking of pedestrian s as Diplomats this Guy is an outright liar. So he cheated the Germans that he was seeking asylum when in fact he simply didn’t want to return home after being recalled from the Diplomatic Service?

    1. That is exactly what he did, all those lies he told in the interview were to impress the white man so he could be given a room in his inn. This guy is a true opportunist!!!!. APM has now totally messed up his master plan coz he was gonna go to Belgium and do the same!!!

  88. This is intelligence services at work. They deliberately appointed him to Zim so that this should be his downfall. WAGWANAYO THOKO!

  89. I was just wondering.
    How many Ph.D’s do Thoko Banda has? Zero
    How many Ph.D’s do Mugabe has? Seven
    Who is the Idiot?
    The idiot is the one who was first earmarked as ambassador to Belgium and was the revoked to earmark him to Zimbabwe and apparently it is going to be revoked again.
    Thoko is an IDIOT

    1. Patriot, eeh but your English is pathetic, why not comment in Chichewa than murder the Queen’s language? Nanga how many PhDs do Thoko Banda has? shaaah! School yodumphira pa window

      2. Iwenso ‘wailing soul’ know that speaking english doesnt mean one is educated. Pita ku mulanje ukaone momwe anthu amapelekeza azungu ku phiri aja amayankhulila english!

  90. MULOMO UUUUUUUUUWU MULOMO UUUUUUUUUWU MULOMO UUUUUUUUWU MULOMO UDZAKUPEZAAAAAA!!!!!!!!..KUKAMBA KWA NDITHE NDITHE A SHASHA ANANTHAMBWE ANADZITENGELA!!!!…YESELA KUPITA PA HARARE MWANA UKAMUDZIWE IDIOT UNKANNENAYO!!!!…..TENGA CALCULATOR UYISOVE BOBOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

  91. He he he he he! Malawi Diplomat Designate!!!! Koma kuli ntchito. This should teach us “that the World is round” See now, Diplomat Designate is going to be among the “Idiots” Zimangondiseketsa when I see the Characters of many Diplomat Designates in this APM Regime.

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