If Zimbabwe hates the UK so much, why do they allow a British embassy in Harare?

Question

How can the people living in the embassy feel safe? What prevents them from being slaughtered by Mugabe himself?

http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1049908883998

Answer 1

The UK retains an embassy in Harare because, until recently, it recognised the Zimbabwean government. The UK has (limited) business ties with companies in Zimbabwe and there are a small number of British citizens who live in the country. The number of British citizens has declined since Rhodesia declared unilateral independence (illegally) and became Zimbabwe. Because of these factors, it is usual for the UK to have an embassy or consulate in a country, even if it is on very bad terms with the government. This is currently being reviewed and unless there is a sharp charge of course by Mr. Mugabe it is likely that the British Ambassador will be withdrawn.

Zimbabwe allows the embassy to remain because they feel that this gives them some kind of recognition or legitimacy. The embassy also helps facilitate some of the trade between the U.K. and Zimbabwe, which is ever more important in their collapsed economy. Zimbabwe also receives some aid (mainly humanitarian) from the U.K., which the embassy again helps facilitate.

The staff are all relatively safe as they have diplomatic protection. Most of the staff will, in fact, not live within the embassy grounds, but in private residences. The ambassadors, his family and some staff will live in the embassy's residence. The embassy compound itself is sovereign territory of the United Kingdom. If the Zimbabwean armed forces were to violate this, they would be in breach of a number of international laws and this could even be considered an act of war. They would not dare to make such a move in such a hostile environment.

Answer 2

Because if Mugabe did that the Brits would drop a few thousand bombs on Mugabes house