BULAWAYO – A deputy minister has been caught on tape attempting to interfere with a police investigation before labelling a station commander a “dog” and a “stupid idiot.”

Barbara Rwodzi, the Zanu PF MP for Chirumhanzu South and deputy tourism minister, also threatened to “deal” with the officer now named as Assistant Inspector Chester Matsa, whose only crime was to charge one of her supporters for defacing political campaign posters of the Citizens Coalition for Change.

The officer remained surprisingly calm during Rwodzi’s invective-laden three-minute 30-seconds phone tirade leaked online.

Rwodzi railed: “I will finish this with you in front of [Police Commissioner General Godwin] Matanga, you’re an idiot… You think CCC will win? You’re a dog! You’re a dog! Go and file a complaint wherever you want, you’re a dog. Stupid!”

After calling Matsa, who has since been transferred from Charandura Police Station in Chirumhanzu to Shurugwi, Rwodzi demanded that the police officer must provide her proof that her supporter, Fidelis Danger, had indeed torn a CCC campaign poster.

She enquired: “You’re handling Danger’s case. What’s he being charged with?”

“He’s charged with removing CCC posters,” Matsa responds.

“Do you have evidence of this? May l have the evidence. Number 1. He is said to have removed the posters on which date? Number 2.”

Matsa queries why he has to give Rwodzi the information as he is already preparing a docket to go to court. He still advises her that they have a witness to the incident on July 12.

Rwodzi further enquires whether the police have a docket on Danger’s house being set on fire, it is unclear by who. Matsa responds that the matter is being handled by CID Law and Order from Gweru.

A back and forth ensues with Rwodzi appearing to suggest that Matsa and his unnamed boss should have tossed the complaint against Danger.

“I’m shouting at you because you’re failing to do your job,” Rwodzi bellows.

The deputy minister then claims that on July 12 she was with Danger, to which Matsa responds that if that is his alibi, it can form part of his defence.

“I know your mandate, l create the laws. You hear me? I know your mandate more than you do. You’re a stupid idiot, l will deal with you,” Rwodzi thunders.

On Monday, the Citizens Coalition for Change demanded that Rwodzi should be investigated.

Party spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere tweeted: “Why hasn’t she been arrested for obstructing the course of justice?”

Within hours, police issued a statement saying the matter was under investigation.

“The ZRP has taken note of an audio circulating on social media concerning an incident involving some ZRP Charundura members and the deputy minister of tourism and hospitality Honourable Barbara Rwodzi. The case is now under investigation,” the ZRP said.

Government spokesman Ndavaningi Mangwana appeared to suggest Rwodzi was emotional because of the recent loss of her husband in a car accident. Christopher Mutonhori Rwodzi died on June 29 after his vehicle plunged down a bridge. He was running as an independent candidate for the National Assembly in Gutu West after Zanu PF disqualified him in its primaries.

Without naming Rwodzi, Mangwana tweeted: “People respond to bereavement in very different ways. There is no template for expressing our grief. #Empathy.”

Zimbabwe’s opposition parties complain that Zanu PF politicians treat police as an extension of the party, and Matsa’s professionalism and refusal to take political instructions has drawn plaudits.

It remains unclear how the audio of the phone conversation leaked.