‘I am in trouble’: Tito Mboweni threatens to ‘bring hell’ to Zambia

It’s been a wild weekend for Tito Mboweni and his Twitter account. SA’s Finance Minister had social media users in stitches when he live-tweeted his attempts to cook a chicken on Saturday night – but things took a much more sinister and political turn later in the evening.

Mboweni went from culinary criticism to diplomatic disagreements in a heartbeat, when he shared his dismay at developments reported in Zambia. President Edgar Lungu made the controversial decision to fire Central Bank Governor Denny Kalyalya, and it sparked a fierce reaction from Mboweni.

Finance Minister says Zambia will ‘face hell’

The minister lashed out, saying that Zambia’s president had treated Kalyalya like his ‘personal property’. Tito then told the government to explain why the governor had been fired, or else ‘hell would be on its way’. The threat to mobilise has, seemingly, landed Tito Mboweni in a fair bit of trouble:

“Presidents in Africa must stop this nonsense of waking up in the morning and fire a Central Bank Governor! You cannot do that. This is not some fiefdoms of yours! Your personal property?! No!”

“That Governor was a good fella. Why do we do these things as Africans. The President of Zambia must give us the reasons why he dismissed The Governor – or else hell is on its way. I will mobilize!”

Tito Mboweni on political developments in Zambia

Tito Mboweni Tweets up a political storm

Much like many of us would have done after a heavy Saturday, Mboweni revisited his late-night Twitter rant on Sunday. But rather than express regret or issue an apology, the Cabinet member doubled down. He stated that the independence of Zambia’s Central Bank ‘is key’, and demanded to hear more from financial workers:

Looks like I am in trouble about my statement on the dismissal of the Bank of Zambia Governor! I stand by my statement. Central Bank independence is key. Not negotiable. Let all central bankers speak out!

— Tito Mboweni (@tito_mboweni) August 23, 2020