Western countries not sponsoring Makoni

Australia’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr John Courtney has refuted statements by an opposition MDC official that Australia was among western countries sponsoring independent presidential candidate, Dr Simba Makoni.

“I don’t believe any of the western countries with missions in Zimbabwe is sponsoring Simba Makoni. Roy Bennett’s statements that Makoni was getting support from western countries should be dismissed. The Australian government respects the sovereignty of this country,” said Courtney.

Roy Bennett, the MDC Tsvangirai faction treasurer claimed in interviews last week that some western embassies in Harare were sponsoring Makoni’s presidential bid.

Speaking to local journalists at the Gweru Press Club, Ambassador Courtney said although the diplomatic community was excited about Simba Makoni’s decision to challenge President Robert Mugabe they have not offered him any financial assistance.

Commenting on huge exodus of professionals to other countries, Ambassador Courtney said the situation was not peculiar to Zimbabwe as the phenomenon has been experienced elsewhere around the world.

He said in time, most of these professionals would return and help develop their country.

“It (brain drain) has been seen in countries like Australia, China, Japan and India where professionals left in their thousands to look for greener pastures overseas.

But most of them later returned and are help in the development of their countries. So, Zimbabwe must not worry a lot as things will be back to normal soon,” he said.

Midlands Governor, Cephas Msipa took Ambassador Courtney on a tour of local companies and some farms around Gweru to enable him to assess the opportunities and challenges that the country's agricultural and industrial sectors are facing.