PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa on Tuesday showed little concern about the deadly unrest back home as he continued his widely criticised state visit to Russia and met counterpart Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Ahead of the meeting with Putin, Mnangagwa told RIA Novosti news agency that he would be looking for financial support from Moscow.
“I can’t say that we want this much or that much,” the Zimbabwean leader said in an interview.
However, a report carried by another news agency, TASS, after the meeting made no reference to any financial bailout deal.
The two delegations reportedly signed a range of agreements to facilitate implementation of the Darwendale platinum project which is being developed by Russian firms.
“A memorandum of understanding was signed between the African Export-Import Bank and the Russian-Zimbabwean Great Dyke Investments on provision of project financing by this bank in the amount up to $192m,” reported TASS.
“Great Dyke Investments also signed a memorandum with the African Financial Corporation on shareholding participation in the Darwendale project in the amount up to $75m.
“Furthermore, a memorandum was signed to secure political risks of Russia’s VTB Group participation in the project.”
Mnangagwa’s business as usual approach abroad contrasts sharply with the deadly crisis back home.
Soldiers were patrolling the streets across the country as the main cities and towns remained deserted with shops closed on the second day of a shutdown called by labour unions and activists.
