RBZ chief refused entry into Britain

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s central bank chief Gideon Gono was recently refused entry into Britain after the government in London said his visit could lead to public protests, state media reported Friday.

Britain accuses Gono of “involvement in corrupt practices that have undermined democracy and the rule of law” in crisis-ridden Zimbabwe, the Herald newspaper reported, citing an August 17 letter signed on behalf of Britain’s Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. The letter said that as reserve bank governor, Gono was Mugabe’s “personal banker”, and could be “involved in the misappropriation of state funds.”Mugabe and members of his inner circle, including Gono, are banned from travelling to the European Union and the United States as part of a package imposed after the president allegedly rigged his 2002 re-election.”Gono’s presence in the United Kingdom would not be conducive to the public good,” the newspaper reported, referring to his UK visit in 2004, which caused uproar when he encouraged exiled Zimbabweans to remit foreign currency to their families back home through the central bank.”Your presence led to public protests in London, Luton and Birmingham by angry crowds who accused you of trying to raise money to support Robert Mugabe’s collapsing regime.”Nampa-AFPThe letter said that as reserve bank governor, Gono was Mugabe’s “personal banker”, and could be “involved in the misappropriation of state funds.”Mugabe and members of his inner circle, including Gono, are banned from travelling to the European Union and the United States as part of a package imposed after the president allegedly rigged his 2002 re-election.”Gono’s presence in the United Kingdom would not be conducive to the public good,” the newspaper reported, referring to his UK visit in 2004, which caused uproar when he encouraged exiled Zimbabweans to remit foreign currency to their families back home through the central bank.”Your presence led to public protests in London, Luton and Birmingham by angry crowds who accused you of trying to raise money to support Robert Mugabe’s collapsing regime.”Nampa-AFP