MDC-T ruffles Western donors

MDC-T's unwitting revelation that it had been invited to Europe and Australia to receive funding for the 2018 elections has ruffled feathers of the Western donors, who are now scrambling to distance themselves from the faux pas.

Zimbabwe's Political Parties (Finance) Act bars political parties from getting money from foreign sponsors.

Britain, Australia and European Union envoys in Harare are scrambling to deny giving any financial support to MDC-T.

This is after MDC-T secretary general Mr Douglas Mwonzora's told the local media that they had been invited to Europe this month partly to get donations for the cash-strapped outfit.

Mr Mwonzora bragged that the MDC-T delegation would visit England, Australia and Norway to receive funding and also brief those governments on political developments in Zimbabwe.

Party spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu yesterday contradicted his boss saying: "The delegation was specifically invited by our structures in the United Kingdom, the purpose of the meeting being to interact and compare notes with the new leadership which emerged after the congress. The MDC-T UK is footing all the expenses."

MDC-T sources said the party's officials had been called to order by its Western handlers following Mr Mwonzora's gaffe.

"The embassies are angry with the revelations. That is why they have been publishing statements denying that they sponsor us," one official said.

Another added: "There is great fear that we now risk worsening relations with these countries who already have reservations about (opposition leader) Mr (Morgan) Tsvangirai. This is certainly another dent on our relationship."

A few days after Mr Mwonzora's revelation, Australia's Embassy in Harare said, "With respect to recent media reporting, the Australian government does not provide financial assistance to any political parties in Zimbabwe."

The British embassy also denied sponsoring the MDC-T. Asked if the embassy facilitated MDC-T's visit to London, officials were non-committal.

"The United Kingdom government is not funding political parties in Zimbabwe. As part of the United Kingdom's continuing support for the democratic process in Zimbabwe, we engage with representatives from the Government, all political parties, civil society and non-governmental organisations within Zimbabwe and elsewhere as is normal diplomatic practice across the world," said British embassy communications officer Sibusisiwe Ndlovu.

EU head of delegation Mr Phillipe Van Damme joined in: "We wish to reiterate that the European Union does not support any political parties in Zimbabwe. Furthermore, the EU does not comment on the internal affairs of political parties."

The denials follow a stern warning by President Mugabe that meddlesome foreign diplomats would not be entertained.

Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba also said Government could sever ties with interfering countries and that MDC-T might have to forfeit State funding.

MDC-T's well-documented financial woes since its disastrous showing in the 2013 elections have seen the party ordering members to pay between US$1 and US$50 to cushion Mr Tsvangirai's welfare.