Human intentions flow from various origins, some benevolent and others malevolent. Goodness, intrinsically connected to truth, maintains its virtuous nature regardless of who articulates it. Similarly, falsehood retains its corrupt character no matter the prestige of the speaker. The confusion arises when we inextricably bind these qualities to particular individuals—a fundamental error that explains why the Divine transcends all human comparison.
Sanity manifests as the capacity to discern truth from falsehood in the communications we receive. A person achieves integrity when truth consistently proceeds from their lips, just as one descends into unreliability when falsehood becomes their habit. Truth remains immutable regardless of its messenger, and falsehood loses none of its deception simply because it issues from an elevated position.
Some people tend to dismiss others’ contributions without considering their value, simply because they link them to discredited individuals. Take the case of Walter Mzembi, who served as Tourism and Hospitality Minister during Mugabe’s administration. A few years ago, while in exile, he took to Twitter (now X) to comment on the Finance Minister’s choice to spend budget funds on street naming rather than addressing more pressing issues.
“Renaming roads feels like a vanity project that’s out of step with the urgent need to unite the country and fix the economy. Why rename roads you didn’t build? Instead, create new ones, give them names, and let our heritage stand with the lessons it carries.”
The statement struck me as eminently reasonable—even though it came from someone who might have influenced such policies during his ministerial tenure. Nevertheless, his comment provoked a torrent of criticism, much of it focused not on the substance of his argument but on his failure to act when in power. His detractors made no effort to engage with whether his words held merit; they merely weaponized his past shortcomings.
Those critics, despite their posture of opposition to the ZANU-PF government, revealed themselves as its unwitting allies. I would not be mistaken to suggest they had always aligned themselves with the establishment’s interests. Such commentary typically emerges from those eager to display intellectual sophistication while fundamentally supporting the existing power structure.
A genuine opponent of falsehood remains unswayed by emotional currents and unnecessary anger. They anchor themselves in truth, indifferent to popular opinion. Moreover, those whose hearts are untainted rarely take offense. Emotional outrage at perceived transgressions often signals hidden guilt. Truthful individuals maintain composure and stand ready to separate fact from fiction at any moment.
Zimbabwe’s crisis stems substantially from this very mindset and behavior. Many profess patriotism while harboring deep antagonism toward the opposing faction. This explains why ZANU-PF could never acknowledge anything positive about Ian Smith, despite knowing the economy functioned competently before Robert Mugabe assumed control. Instead, they magnified every detail that cast Smith unfavorably.
I would not be surprised if many who cheer such racially charged criticism merely exploit the emotions of the uninformed for their purposes. Tragically, this dynamic has perpetuated our difficulties since Independence. Those who insult our intelligence are precisely people like Mzembi’s critics—not the other way around.
It proves equally insulting to embrace falsehood simply because it comes from someone with an admirable history. A distinction always exists between the person and their utterance at any given moment. Those who applaud harmful remarks merely because their heroes spoke them behave foolishly. Hypocrisy deserves condemnation, but that does not require rejecting truth when it happens to emerge from a known hypocrite.
Jesus exemplified this principle in His dealings with Peter. On one occasion, He commended Peter for correctly identifying Him (Matthew 16:17-18); later, He rebuked him sharply for speaking as an instrument of Satan (Matthew 16:22-23). In both instances, Jesus responded directly to the moment—praising truth when it appeared and confronting error immediately. He did not soften His rebuke because Peter had previously been correct, demonstrating His readiness to acknowledge truth while equally confronting falsehood. Jesus urged His disciples to remain focused on truth, treating the Pharisees similarly, saying:
“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice” (Matthew 23:2-3, ESV).
No harm would have come from acknowledging that Mzembi spoke truthfully. Given the government’s financial constraints, pursuing street-renaming projects warranted his criticism against the Minister. Indeed, the Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube allocated the budget for such questionable ventures and surely recognized their ineffectiveness. Mzembi had every right to challenge the Minister, rather than those who attacked him for speaking up.
The partisan mindset among Zimbabweans has proven deeply frustrating and significantly contributed to our economic deterioration. ZANU-PF supporters defend their leaders’ actions blindly, labeling critics as sell-outs, while the opposition mirrors this behavior exactly. The goal has become less about gathering the best minds to solve problems and more about maintaining partisan loyalty merely to oppose the other side.
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free'” (John 8:31-32, ESV).
A profound difference exists between believing in truth itself and placing trust in particular people. Zimbabweans might better comprehend our economic collapse if they recognized how much idolatry has contributed. Mugabe receives frequent blame for the country’s poverty, yet we cannot overlook that countless loyal supporters stood by him even after the coup.
In Christianity, truth originates from God and falsehood from Satan—two opposing forces like light and darkness. Confusion arises when these become mixed rather than maintained separately. Yet many evaluate ideas based on their source rather than the principles they represent.
Some accept or reject ideas solely because of who spoke them, falling into patterns of idolatry. This must change. Judgment should focus on whether something is true or false, regardless of its origin. Even amid Zimbabwe’s immense challenges, solutions might emerge from those dismissed because of their past associations.
Everyone deserves a fair hearing for their opinions, but complications arise when reputation rather than truth determines whether an idea receives consideration. Judging by personality alone can cause us to overlook insights that might contain precisely the solutions we seek. Jesus illustrated this in the parable of the tenants, where greed and spite drove them to kill the landlord’s son:
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits” (Matthew 21:41-43, ESV).
Labeling people often stems from pride—the assumption that some inherently rank above or below others. Yet truth stands independently, and only Jesus, who died on the cross, fully embodies it. He taught that those embracing His words would know truth, and truth would set them free. Freedom comes from truth itself, not from people.
If someone from ZANU-PF speaks truthfully, why reject it? And if someone from the opposition speaks falsely, why defend it? In Jerusalem, some dismissed Paul after his conversion because of his past, focusing on his history rather than his current message. They would have done better to listen to his present words rather than judge him by his former life.
“And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’ And all who heard him were amazed and said, ‘Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?’ But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ” (Acts 9:20-22, ESV).
Some may appear to champion truth while actually spreading falsehood, but if their words align with facts, those facts remain true regardless of the speaker. If an enemy tells you the sun rises in the east, you would not reject this truth simply because of its source. True freedom lies in knowing how to separate truth from lies, irrespective of who delivers them.
Facts should never be judged by personalities. Some white leaders have managed economies well, but this does not mean all white people are capable managers, just as not all black people are incapable. Most judgments based on appearances ultimately prove wrong.
When a black leader assumed office in 1980, many celebrated, hoping for positive change—only to face disappointment. A wise person learns from both friends and enemies, accepting truth and rejecting lies from either source. Zimbabwe could flourish if more people embraced this mindset.
Our challenges multiply when we focus on labeling people as good or bad, rather than recognizing that the real distinction lies between good and bad ideas. Everyone has flaws, and we all ultimately choose one path or another. The real test is choosing what is right over what is wrong.
At the core, Zimbabweans should see each other as brothers and sisters, not enemies. A brother might be deeply committed to ZANU-ism, but that does not change the fact that he remains your brother. He needs your support to break free from misguided thinking, even if he believes himself the most righteous person alive—or vice versa.
Argument alone will not solve anything, just as wishing ill upon someone accomplishes nothing. Having him imprisoned is unnecessary; his real problem is ignorance more than malice. Better to recognize and acknowledge his partisan views before helping him understand what is right, rather than dwelling on what is wrong with them.
He may be confused or lacking truth, and you might be the one to guide him. Wisdom is a gift from God meant to lift others up, not tear them down. Leading with humility offers the best path to helping others find truth—which is why Jesus taught His disciples to love their enemies:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:43-48, ESV).
Jeremiah 17:5-6 warns against placing trust in mere humans, comparing such a person to a desert shrub in salty soil that cannot bear fruit. This implies that even self-trust carries risks, highlighting the importance of questioning the source of our information. This connects directly with Paul’s counsel in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 to test everything and hold fast to what is good. All information should align with Scripture—especially now that Jesus has made understanding clearer.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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