'Go hang on a banana tree'‚ Zimbabwean minister tells the US

Zimbabwe’s government says the US ambassador to that country can “go hang on a banana tree” after his criticism over the arrest of #ThisFlag leader Evan Mawarire.

Secretary for Information‚ Media and Broadcasting Services George Charamba brushed off concerns raised about the arrest‚ saying that the US government was the least qualified nation to comment on human rights violations.

He was reacting to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Harare on Monday. US ambassador to Zimbabwe Harry Thomas said the country was concerned by ‘‘the continuing deterioration’’ of the human rights situation in Zimbabwe.

Charamba replied‚ in an interview published by The Herald: “He thinks he can boss over us. They can go and hang on a banana tree.”

Mawarire‚ a pastor who rallied Zimbabweans to protest peacefully against the government of Robert Mugabe‚ was arrested last week when he arrived at Harare airport.