LONDON – Zimbabwean senator and opposition MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora has vehemently denied allegations of harassment and racial slurs directed at hotel staff during his attendance at the UK Labour Party conference in London.
The claims, initially reported by controversial journalist Simba Chikanza’s online blog platform ZimEye, stated that Mwonzora had been banned from a Premier Inn hotel after harassing two female staff members.
Mwonzora countered these allegations, stating that they are “most false and malicious.” He announced plans to take legal action against Chikanza.
He clarified that he had booked two rooms with a Zimbabwean friend, and that Chikanza had gained unauthorised access to his room, sparking concerns of stalking .
“Upon waking up I noticed Mr Chikanza in my room with his phones. I had no idea at that time how he had gained entry into my room. I chased him from my room by threatening to beat him up. I then went to report to reception about the intrusion,” Mwonzora said in a statement.
“The hotel reception told me that Mr Chikanza had obtained duplicate keys after convincing them that he was my friend. I made it clear to hotel staff that for security reasons, I did not want anyone in my room. They gave me their assurances.
“Mr Chikanza never paid for my room as he claims. Why he would come to my room whilst I was asleep at that odd hour of the day is still a mystery to me. I can only think that he wanted to harm me one way or the other.”
Chikanza had claimed that Mwonzora was banned from the hotel and had harassed staff with racial slurs. Mwonzora, however, asserted that he left the hotel amicably, with staff even showing him to the train station.
“The local Premier Inn manager announces the UK Labour Party delegate Douglas Mwonzora has been banned from their premises after harassing two female staff members with racial slurs,” Chikanza said.
“There was more trouble for the staff. At 3 am on Saturday, I assisted the MDC leader, Douglas Mwonzora with my own money to pay for his Premier Inn Banbury Oxford hotel room, which was 217, mine was 417.
“He abandoning his bag in 217, paced up to invade mine before I could get there; Mwonzora then walked down to the reception room once again harass the two female staffers who he had said cannot speak proper English.
“He caused so much commotion that even other tenants wanted to beat him up.
Mwonzora has announced plans to take legal action against Chikanza for his “disturbing unprofessionalism and malice.”
“I am taking legal action against Mr Chikanza for his very disturbing unprofessionalism and malice. I have not breached any UK laws at all as I have not harmed anyone. I respect UK Labour and its policies especially towards workers,” Mwonzora stated.
