ZIMBABWE - HARARE - The Zimbabwe government has angrily denied reports that it stopped three eminent leaders from visiting the country to assess the humanitarian crisis in a dramatic face-saving gimmick that has had no takers.

 

Former US President Jimmy Carter, former UN secretary general Kofi Annan and wife of Nelson Mandela - Graca Machel were denied visas by the Mugabe regime late on Friday.

 

They had roped in Thabo Mbeki, who is mediating the Zimbabwe crisis to obtain travel documents for them, but they were told off.

 

 

 

 

 

The elders addressed a press conference in Johannesburg on Saturday stating they had been told they were not welcome.

But Foreign Affairs minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi says the Elders are lying.

"It is most unfortunate that the former (UN) secretary-general has, for reasons best known to himself, misrepresented the position of the Government of Zimbabwe," Mumbengegwi said.

 

"The allegations he has made are not supported by facts."

He said government took strong exception to any suggestions that the government did not care for its people.

"Mr Annan is a man of great experience." Mumbengegwi said. "He knows the importance of prior consultations and preparation for high-level visits such as the one he was proposing.

 

We expect someone of his level to observe the correct procedure and practice."

ZimDaily heard that the authorities were also angered by a meeting held between the Elders and MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai in South Africa on Friday soon after his arrival from Europe on another humanitarian situation in the country.

Mumbengegwi lied that he only got to know about the trip on Friday yet the government has been threatening the whole week that it will not accept the highly respected Elders.

The government claimed there was more to the visit than met the eye and yet it had been fully furnished of the Elders itinerary.

They were expected to meet President Mugabe and then hold meetings with the two MDC faction leaders. They had scheduled a dinner meeting with heads of political organisations and civic rights groups where they were to discuss the humanitarian needs of the people.

The next day, they were supposed to have breakfast with heads of women’s organisations and later meet with humanitarian and trade union groups. After that, they would hold a Press conference and issue a report. Lastly, they would meet EU and African ambassadors in Zimbabwe.

 

 

 

 

 

JOKE OF THE DAY - Chinoz walked into a bar akabata 'tsvina' mumawoko and he says "Vakomana ndiwonereiwo zvandanga ndichatsika panze!

 

 

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