By Sports Reporter
Former national team captain and wicketkeeper, Tatenda Taibu stumped his own wicket on social media after making senseless comments about the killing of George Floyd.
Taibu is widely known to be a controversial character although most times his controversy usually stands for the oppressed especially cricketers but in this case, he went way offside by suggesting that George Floyd was equally wrong for carrying a fake bank note.
Taibu tweeted, “America is in a mess. Now Americans want the street to be name after Floyd. My my my.!!! What the policeman did was wrong. However, the story started with a fake bank note. Black or white, that is wrong too. There’s a difference between a hero and a victim.”
The comments that followed the tweet did not need anyone to remind the one time most loved cricketer in the country had been caught off guard.
Some of the comments that were passed are below,
Artist, Mgcini Nyoni said, “There are questions around naming the street and you should have asked the questions and start a discussion instead of the insensitivity you did here.”
Actor Sylvanos Mudzvova said, “Apa wakungosvoresa highfield nekuganhira kwako wangu. Enda unodzingirira and catch mhepo like before.”
Tino Dhewa Mabwe said, “Was it proved that it was fake? Did he deserve to be murdered? Try analysing cricket but with such a shallow mindset you won’t go anywhere.”
Cailah Tatenda said, “Your whole story is about cricket & ended with not much to show for or talk about,Nothing was named after you & Nothing will be named after you ! 9minutes we saw of George’s life has started a revolution for #blacklives ,a fight against racism & you want to talk about 20dollars.”
Chelle Chips said, “This is ignorance at its highest level, delete this. If you can’t find something to say just don’t say it. Research a little more about the reasons behind the protests, it will do you a lot of good. I assumed as a Black man you will understand the purpose but clearly not with you.”
These comments sum up over a thousand concerns of agitated cricket fans and Zimbabweans. Taibu had a brief stint with Zimbabwe cricket as custodian of the Rising Stars project and a selector. He fell out with the board after he was standing up for players and advocating for changes in the game.
Comments like the one he put on Twitter could discredit everything good he has ever done. An apology could redeem him.
