Chinamasa said this on Tuesday during at a conference in London. He was responding to a question if Harare had abandoned its violence as a way to assure investors that Zimbabwe was indeed “open for business†as he has been claiming off late.
The minister said it was not proper to keep dwelling on the past, claiming that Harare had since “moved on†and was focusing on “recapturing our relations with the UKâ€.
He said: “Let’s not remain in the past. We cannot move forward by remaining in the past. Yes, the British felt offended by the land reform but they cannot wish Zimbabwe away. We have a long history together and they cannot pretend that they don’t know us.â€
He added, “Land reform was undertaken in a revolutionary way; we were following our destiny; I don’t want to go down that road; land reform is here to stay. Key thing now is access to capital.â€
Chinamasa said while other countries like France and Germany were seemingly expressing interest in reengaging Zimbabwe, British investors were somehow “fence sitting†taking “a cue from their governmentâ€.
The minister claimed that Zimbabwe was still under British sanctions, saying he was detained at the airport on his way to the London conference.
He said: “For as long as there are sanctions we cannot move forward. As it is, I can’t come to the UK and not face problems. I come and I am detained; I was detained at the airport. I was taken aback because I thought the sanctions had been lifted; those little things really matter and let’s sort that out.â€
He said President Robert Mugabe’s continued rants against the west were not a sign of policy inconsistences on Harare’s part but were “reflective of the political differencesâ€.
Chinamasa, however, said he was on Tuesday going to attend a meeting with top British government officials to see “how to mend fences with the UK.â€
He said despite “fence sitting†by the British investors, some strategic UK institutions and business people have previously supported calls for Zimbabwe to be supported.
“In Lima, some British people agreed that Zimbabwe should be supported as well as in Zambia. That was a good sign. That’s why we are here for this conference and to meet government people.â€
Titled “Zimbabwe 2016: Rebooting and Rebuildingâ€, the one day conference held in central London is being organised by Africa Confidential.
Post published in: Featured
With a rant like that he’s not likely to get a loan. Doesn’t he have any advisers? You can talk black back in Africa, but when you go begging in Europe you have to adjust and talk sense. I really thought he was smarter.
Free advice: don’t accept too many bond notes, never mind what this guy says.
After all they have said and done- Begging is not an attractive quality Patrick
“You can keep your England & let me keep my Zimbabwe”….but hey, I’ll have your money Dear England because we are useless at creating prosperity even when we use the $ as currency and play nice with the Chinese.