HARARE - The MDC and Zanu (PF) have castigated Tendai Midzi, believed to be the son of Amos Midzi, the Zanu (PF) chairman in Harare Province, for describing billionaire Richard Bransons call for investment in Zimbabwe as being a vulture disguised as an angel. (Zanu (PF) c
On September 20, Branson urged people to invest in Zimbabwe, saying the world was wrong to wait instead of helping the politically volatile, impoverished southern African nation revive itself. Zanu (PF) spokesman, Rugare Gumbo, said the views attributed to Tendai Midzi where not those of the party. He said that Zimbabwe welcomed any investment in the country as long as the intentions for the investments were pure and clean and for the good of the country.
Minister of Finance Tendai Biti said Bransons idea was noble, especially at a time when the country was in dire need of foreign currency to ensure that all major sectors of the economy start performing.
We cannot have a situation where people chase away real investors, this thugocracy and barbaric behaviour is unacceptable. We do not expect people to seek attention buy such shallow and immature stance, Biti said. Midzi suggested that Richard was seeking to capitalise on Zimbabwes recently discovered diamond wealth when he launched Enterprise Zimbabwe in New York in September.
Midzi claimed the British billionaire, who has a string of investments over the border in South Africa, was attempting to re-colonise Zimbabwe and counter the growing influence of China in Africa. His comments come just days after Morgan Tsvangirai, the MDC Prime Minister in an uneasy coalition with Mugabes Zanu (PF), sought to reassure foreign businessmen that his country was a safe investment. Richard told philanthropists at the Clinton Global Initiative forum in New York that the West was wrong to wait for Mugabes demise before it re-engaged with Zimbabwe.
In life, people have got to take risks. If everybody waits on the sidelines it will be the people who suffer, he said. The present state of politics in Zimbabwe is by no means perfect, but its a great deal better. But Midzi questioned why Sir Richard himself had waited to invest in Zimbabwe, pointing out that he has for years had business interests in neighbouring South Africa including Virgin Active gyms, Virgin Atlantic flights and a luxury safari lodge. No one would argue that had Branson come to our rescue four, five, ten years ago, he would have been more honourable and believable. Why now? he wrote.
Post published in: Economy