THERE were mixed reactions from Jamaicans yesterday to comments attributed to the Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe, labelling Jamaicans “as drunkards and perennially hooked on marijuana”.

“Him is a man we respect but when him going make statements such as those him need to check himself,” said Kevin Brown, a resident of Shelter Rock in Spanish Town.

Brown’s view was supported by Joel Bryan of Bog Walk, St Catherine, who said the reported comments were unfortunate. “If we should look at the work of people like the late reggae icon Bob Marley who did so much to aid in the liberation process of Zimbabwe — through music — it is unfortunate that the African leader reportedly made such statements,” said Bryan.

Leon White, a resident from Central Village, St Catherine felt there was more to the statement that was being reported.

“How come him just come out of the blues and say something like that; is what triggered such a statement?” White asked, as he stood among a group of residents in Central Village yesterday.

Rastafarians from the popular Bobo Hill in Nine Mile in Bull Bay, St Andrew wanted to make sure the comment attributed to the Zimbabwe president were accurate.

“We will not jump to any conclusion until we first find out if the statements are true,” said Prince I-Jah, one of several Rastafarians gathered in a group at the camp. “We would love for authorities to launch an investigation into these comments,” said Prince I-Jah.

Another Rastafarian, who identified himself as Priest Brown, said the community would stay away from making too many comments on the issue until they were sure that the comments were authentic.

“The media has a way of twisting things and we would want to first hear the results of an investigation before we make any statements but if the leader did say such things it is unfortunate,” said Priest Brown.