UK, South Africa companies deny funding Makoni

UK, South Africa companies deny funding Makoni

DENIAL: State media has been trying to link Makoni with former colonial power, Britain

• Dabengwa: Makoni on rescue mission

• Dabengwa dumps Zanu PF, joins Makoni

• Makoni to launch presidential campaign

• Makoni rules out alliance

• Makoni attacks Mugabe's 'cultist' birthday bash

• 'Zip it old man' - Makoni camp hits back at Mugabe

• Mugabe says Makoni 'worse than a prostitute'

• Rangarirai Mberi: Umm, Morgan? Morgan who?

• Makoni says Zimbabwe needs national healing

• Trudy Stevenson: A nation locked in victim mode

• Kagoro: Judge Makoni on substance

• 'I am nobody's tool,' says Makoni

• Courage Shumba: If you want change, Makoni is your man

• Makoni has expelled himself - Mnangagwa

• War veterans to 'deal harshly' with Makoni

• Zimbabwe's state media attacks Makoni

• Cometh the hour, cometh the Mak

• Major Mbudzi warns CIO against dirty tricks

• Makoni guns for Mugabe's job

• Makoni humiliated as Zanu PF rejects bid for MP

• Makoni's bid for MP riles ministers

• Makoni files papers to stand for MP

• Zanu PF politburo meets over looming split

• Mugabe's fury as Nkomo, Sibanda clash at congress

By Stella Mapenzauswa

BREWER SABMiller and Citigroup denied a report in a Zimbabwean newspaper on Tuesday that they were raising funds for one of President Robert Mugabe's election opponents.

The Herald said the two were among international corporations raising funds for former finance minister Simba Makoni, who is taking on Mugabe in the March 29 vote.

"Information available indicates that the London-based Zimbabwean-born Christine Thompson, who is the policy issues manager with SABMiller, co-ordinated a fund-raising lunch held in London last Friday," the paper said.

London-based SABMiller spokesman Nigel Fairbrass denied the report.

"SABMiller would like to make it clear that it is not funding or supporting any political campaign in Zimbabwe and neither has this ever been under consideration," Fairbrass said.

The Herald also reported that Citigroup was involved in raising funds for Makoni's presidential campaign. Citigroup's spokesman in London, Jonathan Woodier, dismissed the report as "absolute rubbish".

"Citi does not support political causes and it would be inappropriate of us to do so," he said.

Mugabe frequently accuses Western powers, especially former colonial ruler Britain, of working with the opposition to oust him. - Reuters
JOIN THE DEBATE ON THIS ARTICLE ON THE NEWZIMBABWE.COM FORUMS
newsdesk@newzimbabwe.com