Made echakata kutsvukira mumuti kuti ndipotserwe; Manomano eshakata kutsvukira mumuti hunzi ndiposherwe

Vanhu vane tsika dzakaipa vanoedza kubata vamwe kumeso vachiita zvimwe zvinhu zvakanaka nyamba vanenge achiitira kuvanza zvakaipa zvavo.

The trickery of the wild (mobola) plum is to redden (ripen) on the tree so that it becomes a target.

People with mischief or notoriety will show a positive attitude or outlook in order to try to conceal their true nature.

The wild plum like many other fruits reddens when it is ripening. These are the signs people use to understand that it is now ripe. However for most of its existence it is a actually a brownish color and only one who doesn’t know would pick a brown wild plum. Hence our elders looked at this as a wily characteristic of a plum that wants to be picked. This was then likened to a cunning person who presents their best or good side in a deceptive manner so as to conceal their past or true character.

The proverb is used to explain or comment on someone who is hiding behind some good deeds in order to conceal their bad deeds. A good example is someone who starts going to church to seek a partner but using the cover of church to present themselves as saints.