ZIMBABWE is a hot seat for any western envoy because of the volatile political dynamics in the country, British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Catriona Laing (pictured) said yesterday.
BY VENERANDA LANGA
In an interview with NewsDay, Laing said she was always on the spotlight because of the political dynamics at play as well as the fact that Zimbabwe shares a strong history with Britain as its former colony.
Laing has come under attack from various quarters including opposition and activists who accused her of taking a soft stance against President Robert Mugabe’s government.
“It can be tough to be a British Ambassador in Zimbabwe because you are on the spotlight. There has been a lot of things said about me that are not fine, but I appreciate the support that I have got in my work from my fellow sisters (women) and other people which has made me to put on a thick skin and resilience,” Laing said.
“Zimbabwe is a hot seat for any British Ambassador because of the historical foundation of colonisation and the relationship between the two countries where at times the Ambassador can be under fire.”
Laing has also been accused of being sympathetic to the opposition MDC-T led by Morgan Tsvangirai at the expense of other opposition parties.
Reports also alleged that in the ruling Zanu PF party politics, Laing was more sympathetic to a faction fronting Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa to succeed Mugabe.
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But, Lang brushed off the allegations. The British envoy said she had always maintained a neutral stance when it came to political fights in Zimbabwe.
“As an Ambassador, I can be under fire because I cannot please everybody. I have no favour, and I do not support anybody or political party. I have always remained neutral when it comes to political parties. I cannot support any side because then the other side will be unhappy,” she said.
Laing admitted the country was in a deep crisis due to civil unrests as well as economic uncertainty.
She said it was the task of all Zimbabweans in leadership positions, including women to play their roles to resolve the problems.
“We have experienced a tough year politically, two years of drought, and political turbulence. There are also reports of possibilities of police beatings and abductions of activists like Patson Dzamara whom I have huge respect for. It is a challenging year, and there are more challenges ahead. There is uncertainty and we do not know how all these things are going to play out,” Laing said.
