President Mugabe has castigated promiscuous men for fuelling the increasing number of divorce cases in the country, saying their behaviour is detrimental to the nation. Speaking at the third Zimbabwe Local Government Association (Zilga) biennial conference here on Friday, Cde Mugabe said married men should uphold good morals by staying away from mistresses, commonly referred to as “small houses”.

“All our men think they have a right to be morally loose. I mean to be morally loose. Zvinonzi hurume ndizvo zvaunoreva. When married, you are supposed to have one wife,” he said.“The number of divorces is on the increase and I do not think we are building the nation.” The President drew loud applause from delegates when he said even some of the journalists who write stories about infidelity were themselves promiscuous.

He added that he continues to receive reports regarding the promiscuity of various national leaders who are in the habit of lavishing their mistresses with expensive gifts such as vehicles and houses.He said siring children with different women was bound to negatively affect the offspring.“Journalists, do not think President Mugabe is damning his colleagues. He is also damning you. Zvandinonzwa zvakawanda imi wee.“I do not think that is building our nation . . . Even the children themselves will find it difficult to unite. Do not spoil our nation.”

Cde Mugabe said children were likely to imitate the bad behavioral examples set by their parents, adding that the general populace often loses respect for leaders who cheat on their spouses.“When you cheat, people will not trust you, especially when the position you hold is an economic one. They will think you are abusing their money,” he said.Turning to local authorities, President Mugabe urged councillors to maintain high integrity, respect and dignity.
“Do not discriminate. You need that intellectual and moral capacity to regard all persons you work and interact with as equal to one another.

“If they are people living in the township who require plots to build houses, treat them equally. Do not discriminate Zanu-PF or MDC. Look at people as people. You do not discriminate against them on those special lines using your own limited judgment.”Cde Mugabe said all residents were entitled to desirable living standards since they pay rates which should ideally be used to their benefit.He also said impartiality, honesty and objectivity were the hallmarks of good leadership.

Some councillors are abusing public funds fearing they may not be voted back into office, he said, adding that the law would soon catch up with them.“At the last elections, vamwe vaingotorwa to make up numbers. Quantity is not usually quality. We do not just go for bodies. Haasisiri mazuva echinyakare.”The President underscored the need for the electorate to vote for individuals with the prerequisites for their designated offices.He said, for example, the present Cabinet comprised educated ministers while even his secretaries continue to advance themselves academically. “However, education alone is not enough. It needs to be complemented with honesty, reliability and trust. Good leaders should be able to reduce themselves to the level of various societal groups.”