Summit organizers removed Zimbabwe's first lady from their London meeting after protests from angry citizens. Auxillia Mnangagwa was supposed to attend the First Ladies African Impact Summit from June 16 to 18. Zimbabweans living in Britain said they left home because of government policies. They demanded organizers cancel her invitation and threatened to disrupt the event.
British lawmaker Dawn Butler pulled out after Zimbabweans contacted her office about the controversy. The pressure forced organizers into emergency talks where they decided to withdraw the invitation. Government spokesman George Charamba denied the cancellation story completely. He claimed Mnangagwa turned down the invite because she had other commitments at home. Charamba said she chose to work with local communities instead of traveling to London.
British lawmaker Dawn Butler pulled out after Zimbabweans contacted her office about the controversy. The pressure forced organizers into emergency talks where they decided to withdraw the invitation. Government spokesman George Charamba denied the cancellation story completely. He claimed Mnangagwa turned down the invite because she had other commitments at home. Charamba said she chose to work with local communities instead of traveling to London.
