MDC-T Minister says Zimbabwe still unsafe for failed asylum seekers

Zimbabwe is still unsafe for returning asylum seekers, Home Affairs Minister, Theresa Makone says.

Speaking during her recent April visit to the United Kingdom, Theresa Makone (pictured) said the country's security crisis was still volatile and she had already engaged the British Government's envoy Mark Canning pleading for his country to ease its rules for Zimbabwean asylum seekers who she fears for their safety herself being a latest victim of government sponsored persecution.

"I've engaged privately with the ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Canning with regard to your situation. I know that a ruling has been made in the court that Zimbabweans must be removed as soon as possible…
"…I cannot go into the details of the discussion but I don't want you to stay in fear that you might be removed possibly soon", she said

Makone said that she had also cautioned her own daughter and sister about returning home. She said:

"Ive got a daughter; Ive got a sister. They have inquired about coming home and I have told them-Not Yet."

"I think you all know that last week when we were supposed to have an election for the speaker, I myself was in hiding. So if I am threatened what about all of you? What chance have you got?theresa-makone

"The police report to me. I am their ultimate boss but there was every chance that I would be arrested so as to reduce the number of votes in parliament for the speaker. And you would think that they would target any other MP, but not their own minister. But now when you ask them, because they have been beaten, they will say we never intended to arrest you…"

Makone was addressing MDC supporters at Leeds.