Musalia Mudavadi Hit With Bad News From Zimbabwe

Heads of mission of countries whose presidents or heads of government will not attend President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa’s swearing-in ceremony on Monday have been advised not to go.

According to The Zimbabwean, the directive has been given by the country’s  secretary for foreign and trade, Ambassador James Manzou.

The paper reports that in a letter written by Manzou to all heads of missions, the Zimbabwean government indicated that “only heads of missions whose heads of state/government are attending the inauguration ceremony will be allowed to come”.

The The Zimbabwean said presidential spokesperson, George Charamba, was unavailable for comment.

Mnangagwa will be sworn in on Monday, September 4, 2023 at the National Sports Stadium in Zimbabwe.

He was declared winner following disputed harmonised elections held last week.

A statement by the Director of Press Service at the Office of the Prime Cabinet CS Salim Swaleh said Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi will represent President William Ruto at Mnangagwa’s swearing-in.

Swaleh said Mudavadi will leave the country on September 3 for a two-day visit in Zimbabwe. 

Ruto congratulated President-elect Mnangagwa on his re-election for the second term.

He commended the people of the Republic of Zimbabwe for peacefully exercising their constitutional rights during the election process.