Eddie Cross, a well-known economist and former advisor to the President of Zimbabwe, has apologized for claiming that President Emmerson Mnangagwa's family members were involved in corruption. He made these accusations during a TV interview with a South African news station, which caused a big stir earlier this week during nationwide protests.
In a statement to the press today, Cross retracted his previous statements. He admitted that he shouldn't have pointed fingers at the President's family without having solid proof.
"On Monday the 31st of March, a South African TV station interviewed me," Cross said in his statement. "I mentioned that one of the reasons for the protests was that people were unhappy about the massive corruption happening all over the country. I also said that the President's family was involved."
After the interview, Cross wanted to meet with President Mnangagwa. During their meeting, he told the President he was sorry for bringing his family into it.
"I knew it was wrong to involve his family, and I apologized completely," Cross said. The President apparently asked Cross about the other corruption claims and wanted him to show evidence. Cross agreed to put together a report with all the information he had collected.
In a statement to the press today, Cross retracted his previous statements. He admitted that he shouldn't have pointed fingers at the President's family without having solid proof.
"On Monday the 31st of March, a South African TV station interviewed me," Cross said in his statement. "I mentioned that one of the reasons for the protests was that people were unhappy about the massive corruption happening all over the country. I also said that the President's family was involved."
After the interview, Cross wanted to meet with President Mnangagwa. During their meeting, he told the President he was sorry for bringing his family into it.
"I knew it was wrong to involve his family, and I apologized completely," Cross said. The President apparently asked Cross about the other corruption claims and wanted him to show evidence. Cross agreed to put together a report with all the information he had collected.
