Today in history - Britain may help Nkomo make peace

This extract was published by the Welsh National newspaper (Western Mail) on Thursday [today] March 14 2013, forwarded to Bulawayo24 by our Columnist Ryton Dzimiri.

Britain may help Nkomo make peace

Western Mail - 14 March 1983 - BRITAIN may act as peacemaker between Zimbabwe Prime Minister Mr Robert Mugabe and the "fugitive" opposition leader Mr Joshua Nkomo.

As Mr Nkomo was granted a week's stay in London after flying in yesterday, British Ministers were officially resisting any involvement in the dispute.

But signs emerged that Britain may try to take some of the drama out of Mr Nkomo's flight to Britain.

Meanwhile, Mr Nkomo said he had no intention of settling anywhere except Zimbabwe, but he wanted assurances for his safety.

"I want to hear them face-to-face, not necessarily from Mr Mugabe, but from a minister in authority," he declared.

Mr Nkomo's wife said yesterday she had tried to leave Zimbabwe after her husband because, like him, she feared for her life.

Johanna Nkomo, 55, said from her home in Bulawayo: "I am still scared. But they have taken my passport and I have nowhere else to go."

Mrs Nkomo was detained for two days last week after being picked up while travelling to Harare to catch a London flight. She said her son - Thulani, daughter Thandiwe and son-in-law John Ndlovu were in custody.

Mr Nkomo has said he will not return home until he receives face-to-face assurances of his safety.

British Ministers initially saw Mr Nkomo's visit as something of a nuisance.

But it was privately acknowledged that there was concern at the situation in Zimbabwe.

At Zimbabwe House, Minister for Information Dr Natan Shamuyarira said Mr Nkomo would be protected if he returned, but did not rule out the possibility of charges being brought against Mr Nkomo in Zimbabwe.



Edited by Tony Woolway