In a Tweet on Thursday Hwende said, "What if MDC encourages its supporters to ditch Econet, Netone or Telecel? If the owner of Econet is aiding repression why should our 2.6 million supporters who voted Nelson Chamisa continue giving money to Strive Masiyiwa."
The tweet angered many Zimbabweans on social media who vented out their anger on him.
Mmatigari said,"Try it. let us see who will listen to you. You want to overstate your influence when you have none. I challenge you to go for it. Let us see."
ZANU PF Deputy Secretary General Mabutho Moyo called for Hwende's resignation from the ICT Parliamentary portfolio, "Hwende must step down as Chairperson of the ICT committee in parliament, he is clearly conflicted and biased. Econet is clearly disadvantaged going forth."
Journalist Maynard Manyowa weighed in saying, "Hwende is an unrepentant and unrelenting dunderhead. This he has proven time and time again."
Another user Cde A. Maimba lashed at the legislator saying, "If ever Econet is called to the Portfolio Committee of ICT that Hwende chairs, they must be like Obert Mpofu and refuse to cooperate until he recuses himself. If he failed to mobilise MDC supporters to vote for a 3/4 majority in Parly...izvo angazvigona."
Hwende later deleted the tweet but it had been screen grabbed and gone viral.
