The Zimbabwean opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has told President Thabo Mbeki that he is no longer fit to serve as the region's mediator in Zimbabwe's political crisis owing to a "lack of neutrality", and that "there will be no country left" if Mbeki continues to side with President Robert Mugabe.
President Thabo Mbeki must release the letter he allegedly wrote to George Bush asking the American president to "butt out" of Zimbabwe, the Democratic Alliance said on Thursday. Mbeki's four-page letter to Bush apparently criticised the United States for taking sides against Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe.
A controversial shipment of arms from China and destined for Zimbabwe has arrived in Harare, the Weekender newspaper reported on Saturday -- apparently thanks to assistance by the South African government. There are fears that President Robert Mugabe is planning to use force to storm back to power in Zimbabwe.
President Thabo Mbeki was to brief a group of African religious leaders on the situation in Zimbabwe on Friday, his spokesperson said. The briefing would focus on his mediation efforts, but it "may touch on current issues", said Mukoni Ratshitanga.
South Africa will work with other countries in the region to ensure the will of the Zimbabwean people is reflected, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Aziz Pahad said on Thursday. The country has joined the chorus of international calls for Zimbabwe to release the results of its March 29 presidential election as soon as possible.
As the sun set on another bloody day of xenophobic violence in Gauteng on Monday, at least 22 people were reported dead, many more injured and 217 arrested for fierce attacks on both foreigners and local residents living in the greater Johannesburg area. Aid organisations were assisting thousands of refugees at civic centres and police stations.
The Ginwala commission set up to inquire into the suspension of National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Vusi Pikoli said on Saturday it was aware that Pikoli is allegedly being blackmailed by a hacker. Commission spokesperson Lawson Naidoo said the commission had been notified by Pikoli's lawyers.
A hacker has allegedly gained access to suspended National Prosecuting Authority head Vusi Pikoli's computer and is attempting to blackmail him, his attorney said on Friday. "An individual is claiming to have hacked Mr Pikoli's system. The hacker is threatening to release Mr Pikoli's documents to the press, if he is not paid," said his attorney Aslam Moosajee.
President Thabo Mbeki is blatantly violating human rights, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) claimed in a document handed to Amnesty International on Friday. The party's chief whip, Koos van der Merwe, handed a written complaint against Mbeki to a representative of Amnesty International in Pretoria.
Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin would retire after the elections next year, a media report said on Monday. "The minister would like to confirm that he would not be serving another term. His decision was taken long before the change in African National Congress leadership," said his spokesperson Vimla Maistry.
The Presidency on Tuesday could not confirm reports that African National Congress deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe would be deployed to the Cabinet within days. "I don't know ... I have not been advised on anything," said presidential spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga.
The presidency has launched an 11th-hour bid to prevent embarrassing confidential information behind the suspension of National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss Vusi Pikoli from being made public. Hours before Pikoli was to release documents detailing what he told President Thabo Mbeki and others about Jackie Selebi's alleged corruption, he received a settlement offer from the government.
