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| Robert Mugabe statue: Zimbabwe sculptor denies mocking president | Robert Mugabe statue: Zimbabwe sculptor denies mocking president |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| A famous Zimbabwean sculptor has insisted his statue of Robert Mugabe was not intended to mock the president. | A famous Zimbabwean sculptor has insisted his statue of Robert Mugabe was not intended to mock the president. |
| It was widely criticised on social media after it was unveiled at his official residence State House on Friday. | It was widely criticised on social media after it was unveiled at his official residence State House on Friday. |
| Dominic Benhura told the state-owned Herald newspaper that "honestly, no-one would abuse such an opportunity". | Dominic Benhura told the state-owned Herald newspaper that "honestly, no-one would abuse such an opportunity". |
| Mr Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, has vowed to crack down on protests against his rule. | |
| Tweeters questioned the sculptors motives, with some suggesting it was a reaction to being forced to make the statue. | Tweeters questioned the sculptors motives, with some suggesting it was a reaction to being forced to make the statue. |
| However outspoken Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo defended the sculpture: | However outspoken Higher Education Minister Jonathan Moyo defended the sculpture: |
| The sculptor Mr Benhura, who has exhibited his work across the world, denied he was making fun of the president and said that people don't understand his art. | The sculptor Mr Benhura, who has exhibited his work across the world, denied he was making fun of the president and said that people don't understand his art. |
| "That sculpture was never meant to look exactly as the president's image. I do not do exact figures." | "That sculpture was never meant to look exactly as the president's image. I do not do exact figures." |
| "This is the style I have mastered. My collectors can identify my pieces when they see them anywhere in the world because I chose to be different and that is my signature." | "This is the style I have mastered. My collectors can identify my pieces when they see them anywhere in the world because I chose to be different and that is my signature." |
| Mr Mugabe also praised the statue. | Mr Mugabe also praised the statue. |
| He was quoted in the Herald as saying that he was so grateful that the statue stimulated "a kind of wonder, a kind of love, a kind of appreciation and satisfaction". | He was quoted in the Herald as saying that he was so grateful that the statue stimulated "a kind of wonder, a kind of love, a kind of appreciation and satisfaction". |