The South African government has never taken sides in Zimbabwe between the ruling Zanu-PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, Deputy President Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday.
Replying to questions in the National Council of Provinces, he said South Africa has been in discussions with both sides in Zimbabwe to find a solution, so there can be a situation conducive to peaceful free and fair elections in Zimbabwe next year.
President Thabo Mbeki’s recent meetings with Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai are an indication of the effort ”we are trying to put on this matter, as a sister country to Zimbabwe”.
”What we cannot do; we cannot instruct the Zimbabweans, either side … we have to make them discuss among themselves, if it is possible. We cannot even enforce that thing, we don’t have the authority to do so,” Zuma said.
”We … engage Zimbabwe as a sister country, as well other political parties and sister political parties.
”And what is clear, in the case of Zimbabwe in particular, I think very consistently, is that we have never taken sides. We have talked to both … in the interests of Zimbabwe and the interests of the African continent.”
”And that’s our stand, and we will continue to do so.”
The final solution lies with the Zimbabweans, and therefore they should be in a position to resolve the matter, Zuma said. — Sapa