Patrick Chinamasa's visit to uk dominated by angry protestors

 

protestors in london

An angry protestor Tuesday hit finance minister Patrick Chinamasa’s taxi with an egg after a group of demonstrators prevented him from leaving a central London conference building where he had been addressing investors.

Chinamasa, who was rushing to a meeting with British government officials at Westminster, was detained for almost an hour. The minister had just told the conference that Zimbabwe was still “under sanctions” before he left saying he was rushing for a meeting to discuss how to “mend fences with the UK”.

But as soon as he emerged from the conference building, Chinamasa came face to face with a group of Zimbabweans who were protesting against his presence in the UK, saying he was representing an oppressive government.

Carrying placards written “No western loans for Zanu PF” and “A delegation of crooks and liars”, the protestors were determined to block Chinamasa from getting inside a taxi. As the protestors booed Chinamasa, the minister retreated and sought another route out via the back exit only to be confronted by yet another crowd.

“He (Chinamasa) must stay inside there,” shouted angry protestors, breaking into song and dance.

Chinamasa was, however, finally able to get into a taxi with the help of the police who pushed the protestors away. As the cab moved away, a visibly sulking Chinamasa sat in the back of a black cab talking on the phone while the vehicle was pelted with eggs.

In the morning, Chinamasa used an Embassy vehicle to the conference but was picked up by a taxi for his next engagements.