THE fate of five ambassadors from the two MDC formations which are now out of government following their electoral defeat remains entirely in the hands of President Robert Mugabe, a senior government official has said.
By Dumisani Sibanda
As part of the power-sharing arrangement in the inclusive government, Trudy Stevenson from the MDC led by Welshman Ncube was posted as Ambassador to Senegal while four officials from MDC-T — Mabed Ngulani, Hilda Suka Mafudze, Jacqueline Zwambila and Hebson Makuvise — were deployed to Nigeria, Sudan, Australia and Germany respectively.
Foreign Affairs secretary Joey Bimha said in an interview at the weekend his ministry had not received any instruction from Mugabe to recall the five diplomats who were nominated by the two MDC formations. He pointed out that once a person was appointed an ambassador, they became Zimbabwe’s representative in that country where they would have been posted.
“In that capacity (ambassador’s position), you serve every Zimbabwean regardless of political affiliation,” Bimha said. “The ambassadors usually sign contracts for four years and at the expiry they might be recalled or have their contracts renewed. But it’s the same way as when the President appoints a Cabinet. You can be recalled at any time. You are there at the mercy of His Excellency.”
He said the contracts of the five ambassadors had not expired as their four-year terms lapse next year.
“Their contracts expire sometime next year and His Excellency has not given us any instructions and so they continue in office,” Bimha said. “As I said, His Excellency can recall an ambassador at any time he pleases.”
