As the global brouhaha over the death of Cecil the lion refuses to die, Zimbabweans’ reaction has shifted from indifference to bemusement.
The attention Cecil has receiving since his death is considered to be an unnecessary sideshow, taking the limelight away from more pressing matters.
Cecil, referred to as Zimbabwe’s most popular lion, was killed at the beginning of July, but it took three weeks for the local media to report on the death.
“The manner in which the story has been represented by international media seems somewhat far-fetched from the realities of most of people,” law professor Alex Magaisa wrote on his blog.
While the global media reacted with outrage to the death, bemused Zimbabweans soon took to social media, creating memes of animals like zebra celebrating the death of the lion, saying the jungle would be peaceful.
Mr Itai Dzamara, an anti-government activist has been missing for more than 150 days, with suspicions that he may have been kidnapped by state agents. His fate remains unknown.
The activist’s brother, Partson, accused the international media and some Zimbabweans of wasting time “on trivia” as Cecil’s story eclipsed Mr Dzamara’s disappearance.
“The killing of Cecil the lion was bad,” Partson wrote on Facebook. “However, I am shocked how most of us have suddenly become animal activists as we romance trivia.
“If we could become this vocal on real issues such as the abduction of Itai Dzamara...I am sure our nation would be better. This is tomfoolery and it’s making me sick.”
Former Education Minister David Coltart, a critic of President Robert Mugabe, also took to social media to express shock at the way Cecil’s death had overshadowed human rights issues.
“As much as I sympathise with those upset by this killing, this is just ridiculous,” he tweeted, making reference to Mr Dzamara’s disappearance and Zimbabwe’s history of disputed elections.
“The world’s anger at hunter Dr Walter Palmer (the lion killer) is understandable but misplaced,” Mr Coltart added.
Some other Zimbabweans also felt that the killing of the lion, previously unknown to most people except foreign tourists, paled in comparison to the crises facing the country.
“At the root of this matter is the lawlessness brought about by Zanu PF’s abrogation of the rule of law in Zimbabwe,” Mr Coltart said.
““That the minister responsible for parks should adopt such a stance is hypocrisy of the worst order.”
Mr Desmond Kumbura, a journalist, said the focus on Cecil’s death was a wasted opportunity for the world media to expose the real problems facing ordinary Zimbabweans.
“Enough time and cyberspace have been wasted on the millions of words said about a creature that neither speaks, understands nor shares the emotions of its benefactors,” Mr Kumbura posted on Facebook.
