Zim Diaspora

Correspondent

ZIMBABWE’S Ambassador to Germany, Mr Hebson Makuvise, has challenged MDC-T secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti to counsel his young brother Stanford against bringing MDC-T and the country into disrepute by disseminating falsehoods in the United Kingdom and on the internet.

He said this in an interview with the state-controlled newspaper The Herald in response to allegations of financial embezzelement and abuse of power when he was Morgan Tsvangirai's chief representative to the United Kingdom.

Mr Makuvise also poured scorn on Zimbabweans in the UK and said they did not want to return home because they have nothing to show for their many years in Britain.

Problematic: Stanford Biti

Party spokesman Mr Nelson Chamisa, however, admitted that the UK and Ireland branch was facing many problems and the party has since sent Mr Sipepa Nkomo to investigate and address issues affecting the branch.

The ambassador’s remarks come at a time when Mr Stanford Biti, the MDC-T UK and IrelandGermany accusing him of embezzling party funds raised from party supporters and well-wishers.

Mr Makuvise had no option but to respond through the ZANU-PF controlled Herald as the allegations including demanding sexual favours from desperate asylum seekers are usually regarded as a serious crime in Europe.

Before being posted to Germany, Mr Makuvise was a senior member of the party’s UK and Ireland branch.

He left the branch last year on his appointment.

In an interview from Germany, Ambassador Makuvise said it was high time Mr Biti disciplined his young brother.

"He (Stanford) is Biti’s young brother and I fail to understand why Biti is not telling him not to do that. In April when Prime Minister Tsvangirai visited London he organised demonstrations during which they booed him (PM) after he had told them to go back home following the formation of the inclusive Government," he said.

Ambassador Makuvise said relations between him and the branch got strained when he travelled to Zimbabwe to witness the swearing-in of Mr Tsvangirai as Prime Minister in February last year.

"When I left the UK last year, they complained why I had travelled to Zimbabwe saying this was going to put their asylum status in danger," Mr Makuvise said.

He gave a brief account of how some political activists like Stanford survive in the UK.

"Every Saturday they gather at the Zimbabwean Embassy in the UK playing drums denouncing President Mugabe, Prime Minister Tsvangirai and the inclusive Government. They are then given some money by tourists who visit the embassy in the name of the suffering masses of Zimbabwe," Ambassador Makuvise said.

He said he has tried without success to dissuade the acti-vists from carrying out such activities.

"There are a lot of things happening in the Diaspora especially in the UK. Varikunyara kudzoka kumusha as they have nothing to show for their absence. They do not appreciate the peace that is prevailing at home now."

Mr Makuvise denied abusing any party funds.

He referred further questions to Mr Sipepa Nkomo, who travelled to London last year where he unsuccessfully tried to resolve the disputes that have rocked the branch.

Efforts to get a comment from Mr Nkomo, who is currently in London on Government business, were fruitless.

Ambassador Makuvise also claimed that Mr Stanford Biti was dismissed from the party two years ago.

A provisional financial report purported to be emanating from the MDC-UK branch was released last week. The report alleges that some senior party officials abused party funds. Among those named in the report is Ambassador Makuvise.

Internet news reports quoted Mr Stanford Biti urging the party to recall Ambassador Makuvise over the allegations.

He also castigated the MDC-T leadership for not taking action against corrupt officials.

"Makuvise should not be the ambassador. And somehow they should call him back to Zimbabwe. He is a disgrace to the world," Mr Biti was quoted as saying.

He took a swipe at the PM’s Office for allegedly failing to "meet the people’s expectations".

"Our leaders should rise to our expectations. If they can’t it means we are not going anywhere with them," Mr Biti said.

Reports said the Southend-On-Sea’s branch had planned a demonstration against South African President Jacob Zuma for not being "tough" with Harare.

The protest was, however, changed to focus on Ambassador Makuvise.

According to the MDC-T UK financial report, which has not been submitted for adoption, the province inherited a balance of £3 207,57 with branches and districts contributing £73 892,61 and incurring £75 188,17 in expenses.

The current bank balance is £1 912,01.