Mugabe recalls ambassadors

THE Foreign Affairs ministry has recalled some ambassadors amid speculation five diplomats from the two MDC formations were among those whose contracts were unlikely to be renewed.

MDC-T seconded four envoys - Hebson Makuvise (Germany), Jacqueline Zwambila (Australia), Mabel Ngulani (Nigeria) and Hilda Mafudze (Sudan).

The Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC formation has Ambassador Trudy Stevenson, who is stationed in Senegal.

Foreign Affairs secretary Joey Bimha yesterday confirmed that the ministry had written to the diplomats.

"What does that have to do with you? We told you that we are in the process and some of them with contracts that are due are being recalled and new ones being deployed," said Bimha.

"We are yet to do any movements since 2008 so most of them are due to come back home. It's a normal ministry exercise and we are yet to finish with this exercise. We take it to the President and he will tell us who to bring back."

On what will happen to the diplomats seconded by the two MDC formations, Bimha said: "It's up to the President to tell us what he wants. The contract says you should stay for four years, but the President has the prerogative to recall as and when he feels like."

Efforts to get comment from Presidential spokesperson George Charamba on the issue were unsuccessful.

About 47 ambassadors posted around the world are expected to return this year for reassignment.