The Zimbabwean prime minister was forced to cut short an event on a visit to Britain this weekend amid angry scenes.
Morgan Tsvangirai addressed a crowd of more than 1,000 exiles in London’s Southwark Cathedral on Saturday. But his attempts to persuade them to consider returning to their homeland were met with boos and jeers as questions were raised over his assurances about the country’s road to stability.
Mr Tsvangirai, the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, became prime minister in a power-sharing deal with president Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF Party in February. In his speech, he declared: “Zimbabweans must come home.” He told the crowd that improvements had been made through the creation of a “transitional” government, and that no one had been “fooled” or co-opted.
Mr Tsvangirai said inflation had been cut, schools had reopened and previous scarce commodities were now available. He added: “We have also made sure that there is peace and stability in the country.” That comment provoked a noisy reaction from members of the audience, but he continued: “Our mission is to create the necessary space, the necessary freedoms for Zimbabweans. Our mission is to make sure that we give the people of Zimbabwe hope.
He acknowledged no one should forget the struggles and suffering of the Zimbabwean people and said that he, as a victim of beatings and arrests, would be the last to forget the past. But he told the gathering that the plan to work towards a new constitution and referendum over the next 18 months was the correct one.
Mr Tsvangirai and cathedral staff appealed for everyone to listen as he answered questions, before the heckling became too loud. After he left, about 45 minutes before the event had been scheduled to finish, the singing, dancing and chanting continued.
Asked about fears over the safety of exiles wishing to return to Zimbabwe, Mr Tsvangirai said changes would be made to police and army training to ensure the institutions did not serve a political party. When it was suggested it was too early for refugees in Britain to return to Zimbabwe, he replied: “I did not say pack your bags tomorrow and come home. I said you should now start thinking about coming home.” Mr Tsvangirai received some applause for his comments, but many voiced their disappointment.
Lazarus Tombo, a radiographer who lives in Slough after leaving Zimbabwe six years ago, said: “I was disappointed. It looked like he was speaking as a politician – he should have addressed us as a nation. People were not happy with what the prime minister was saying, especially the impression that there is peace back home.
Patrick Gore (40) of Lee in south-east London, is chief co-ordinator of Restoration of Human Rights in Zimbabwe. He said: “94 per cent of the population of Zimbabwe is unemployed. He is asking another three million people to come back home. His government is broke, the social services are non-existent. How is he going to look after the three million?
Earlier, Mr Tsvangirai met foreign secretary David Miliband and business leaders, including Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson. Mr Miliband said: “His country is in desperate need of investment and economic development. The British government, and British business, are ready to do what we can to help.
“All sectors must come together and support a peaceful, prosperous transition for Zimbabwe, rather than watching it descend into a humanitarian crisis,” said Sir Richard.
Mr Tsvangirai is to meet prime minister Gordon Brown today.