Published: 24 July 2013

By TOM FOOT

HAVE you seen Wilf Mbanga?

Not the campaigning newspaper editor who fled Zimbabwe for London after being marked out as an enemy of the people by president Robert Mugabe, but the pet pussycat named in his honour by comedian and author Alexei Sayle.

Mr Sayle is appealing for help from anyone who has seen his cat after it escaped from his Bloomsbury home 10 days ago.

He told the New Journal it was accidentally let out by a house-sitter while he was away on holiday.
The search to find the “giant, stripy” feline has begun with posters up in the surrounding streets.

Mr Sayle said: “Wilf Mbanga is a giant, stripy cat with long hair and a very fluffy tail. He has not really gone out before and he doesn’t really have a sense of direction. He is chipped though, so we’re hoping that might help.”

Mr Sayle, one of the country’s best-known alternative comedians who became famous for his cynical and sometimes surreal style, added: “We just liked the name Wilf Mbanga. And he sounded like a good man. The real Wilf Mbanga also lives here so I’m hoping people don’t get confused and start looking for him.”

Yesterday (Wednesday), the real Wilf Mbanga, who left Zimbabwe 10 years ago, told the New Journal he was “tickled pink” to learn Mr Sayle’s cat was named after him.
He said he “hoped” for his safe and speedy return, but added: “I won’t be joining the search for Wilf as I am allergic to cats.”

Mr Mbanga has been living in self-imposed exile in London since he was forced to leave Zimbabwe in fear for his life after penning a series of articles opposing the Mugabe regime.

One of the country’s leading journalists, he set up the Zimbabwean Weekly in this country where he is the current editor.

Mr Sayle’s cat is thought to be a Maine-Coone long hair, one of the largest breeds of domestic cat notable for a large bone structure and rectangular body shape. They are believed to have been originally brought into this country by Vikings in the 11th century.

Mr Sayle’s wife, Linda, said: “We’ve put up posters and fliers through the doors – we’ve gone around calling out. But he could be anywhere. We got him three years ago, almost to the day. He has a big tail like a squirrel.”

Mr Sayle is currently on tour with his first stand-up comedy act in 16 years and is about to travel up to Scotland for the Edinburgh Festival.