Own Correspondent | MDC Alliance Secretary General has been called out over a meeting he held with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s envoys in Germany.
Hwende is a delegate in the Internet Governance Forum a multi-stakeholder platform, which brings together various stakeholder groups as equals, in discussions on public policy issues relating to the Internet.
Hwende suffered backlash from angry Zimbabweans who challenged him on his meeting with Ambassador Paul Chikawa, whose appointing authority Mnangagwa the MDC Alliance does not recognise.
Wrote Hwende, “Yesterday I passed through our Zimbabwe Embassy in Germany and was well received by Ambassador Paul Chikawa and his team very fruitful engagement. Many Zimbabweans are based in Germany studying and working.”
In a bid to mitigate his visit, the senior MDC official wrote, “During the GNU our very own MDC Ambassador Makuvise was based here.”
MDC Alliance MPs have refused to recognise Mnangagwa walking out of Parliament, whenever he is present for national events, leading to an impasse that has crippled business in the August House.
Among the Zimbabweans who called Hwende out is politician Setfree Mafukidze, “ An Ambassador appointed by an illegitimate President is illegitimate too. He would have been appointed by a person who is not confirmed to make such appointments. VaHwende you guys either need to accept that @edmnangagwa is legitimate or just remain consistent on your case.”
Zanu PF politician Farai Muvuti challenged Hwende too, “Needless to point out the obvious. If you can see the legitimacy of the good Ambassador then you may want to acknowledge the legitimacy of his appointing authority. Your unexpected excursion appears to have betrayed your party narrative. Food for thought.”