KINGSTON, Jamaica — Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has responded to unfavourable comments made by Zimbabwe’s president, Robert Mugabe last week.

“The remarks, regardless of whether they were spoken “in jest” as was stated in yesterday’s edition (September 12) of the New Zimbabwe Newspaper, were grossly unfortunate, misguided and untrue,” said Simpson Miller.

The comments do not represent the sentiments of that country’s people, Simpson Miller said, adding that Jamaicans have distinguished themselves and made significant contributions globally.

“Any such remarks, therefore, must be dismissed as untrue and disrespectful to the hundreds of thousands of Jamaican men who are excellent fathers, professionals and outstanding citizens.”

The Government had held off on commenting earlier, saying that checks had to be made to verify that Mugabe did make the comments.

Zimbabwe's media reported that Mugabe told academics, dignitaries, business people, and government officials from across the country and the region that Jamaica was "a country of marijuana smokers, where women are now taking charge since men are always sloshed".

He was also reported as saying "In Jamaica, they have freedom to smoke mbanje, varume vanogara vakadhakwa (men are always drunk) and universities are full of women. The men want to sing and do not go to colleges vamwe vanobva vamonwa musoro (some are dreadlocked). Let us not go there."