Filmmaker turns Mugabe critic
By Sharon Muguwu
Filmmaker Rufaro Kaseke, whose videos of President Robert Mugabe’s regime and system of governance have gone viral on social media, has vowed to continue contributing to the anti-government protests until the nonagenarian mends his ways.
The United Kingdom-based Kaseke refuted claims that he has suddenly become a critic because he is no longer based in Zimbabwe.
“I wouldn’t say it was a sudden outburst, I was always concerned about how Mugabe runs the country.
“Remember, you ran a story once which was headlined ‘filmmaker attacks government’ when I had suggested that if the government was clever they would invest and trust filmmakers to fix the bad image that Zimbabwe has outside and boost our tourism and all other things nice about Zimbabwe.
“As a filmmaker, I am programmed to question things but I guess this time I got to a boiling point,” he said.
The filmmaker added that he was not afraid of consequences arising from his involvement in the anti-government protests.
“The situation in Zimbabwe has already affected my work in so many ways. This is a sacrifice. I know there will be those who would not want to be associated with me. I do not mind; it’s lonely in the extra mile,” Kaseke said.
He insisted that he would return to Zimbabwe once he completes his studies in the United Kingdom.
“I am definitely coming back. Right now, I am studying for my masters in digital film production at the University of Bedfordshire so that I can get better at what I do and move the industry forward,” he said.
The experienced filmmaker, who is currently in New York to join anti-Mugabe protests scheduled to begin today at the United Nations, revealed that they are ready to attract the world’s attention at the 67th General Assembly.
“Mugabe is notorious for blaming other people than himself for Zimbabwe’s problems at international platforms such as the UN. Our plan is to take the opportunity to expose his hypocrisy and register our displeasure on the side-lines of the meeting.
“We will have citizens’ meetings during the week to map out ways of helping ourselves and creating systems of accountability even for the next government . . . we should never allow governments to just go unchecked again,” the filmmaker said.
He added that the disappearance and persecution of anti-government protestors, will not cow him and others like Patson Dzamara and Evan Mawarire.
“I have received threats but it’s something I expected. I’m not naive as to the kind of situation I am in but I’m determined as I always was.
“Patson and the other guys have one thing in common just like many other Zimbabweans who want change, so naturally . . . it’s only logical to come together and help each other with this,” he said. Daily News
