US apologises for Mugabe minister humiliation

US Ambassador to Zimbabwe Bruce Wharton has reportedly apologised to the Zimbabwean government and promised to look into the matter which saw Foreign Affairs minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi being humiliated in New York.

Wharton was summoned by Foreign Affairs ministry on Monday over the incident.

But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the United States is yet to explain to Zimbabwe the circumstances that led to the ill-treatment and harassment of Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi.

The Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Joey Bimha told ZBC News on Tuesday that his ministry last week summoned the US ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Bruce Wharton, seeking an explanation and delivered a protest regarding the matter.

Ambassador Bimha said the envoy apologised to government and promised to make an inquiry into the issue.

Minister Mumbengegwi was denied VIP status at JFK airport on his way home after attending the United Nations General Assembly a week ago.

Mumbengegwi had applied for the VIP status within the stipulated time of 72 hours before departure from the US.

Relations between Zimbabwe and the US went sour at the turn of the millennium when Washington chose to fight from London's corner after Britain internationalised a bilateral land dispute with Zimbabwe.