West ‘hostile’ says aide

Western hostility towards Zimbabwe is deterring investment, the Presidency spokesperson has said – comments in sharp contrast with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s efforts to woo Western governments, Reuters reported.

Mnangagwa has set out to repair Zimbabwe’s relations with Western states after he took over from veteran leader Robert Mugabe last November.

The remarks by Mnangagwa’s spokesperson, George Charamba, come in the wake of a violent crackdown on opposition protesters by security forces after Mnangagwa’s disputed victory in a July 30 presidential election.

It signals that his charm offensive towards the West may already be unravelling.