The South African government needs to take a ”tough love” approach to Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s outrageous and unprecedented appeal for a R6,5-billion loan, Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon said on Thursday.
Speaking in Cradock in the Eastern Cape, he said he believes the majority of South African taxpayers do not want their hard-earned rands to be used to bail out Mugabe’s oppressive regime and the failed state that his defective policies have created.
”It is time for the South African government to take a ‘tough love’ approach to Zimbabwe. If Mugabe is seeking humanitarian aid, he certainly does not need a R6,5-billion line of credit. Far less would suffice for emergency relief,” Leon said.
Mugabe is seeking funds not because of a natural disaster, but a political and economic disaster entirely of his own creation.
Because the loan request has not been budgeted for by the National Treasury, South Africa might have to forego future spending on local projects if it agrees to extend him credit.
”Effectively, we will be taking money from poor people in South Africa to pay for the eviction of poor people from Harare and Bulawayo,” Leon said.
”Furthermore, the extravagance of Mugabe’s request is simply outrageous and unprecedented.
”He is asking for a line of credit of up to R6,5-billion. By comparison, the entire budget for humanitarian aid in our Department of Foreign Affairs is R13-million. Mugabe is asking for 500 times that amount!”
Mugabe claims he needs the money for food and fuel. Yet in April he was reported to have spent more than R1,5-billion on Chinese jet fighters, military vehicles and riot gear.
In addition, Mugabe spends 5% of his country’s gross domestic product yearly on his military, when the international norm recommended by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is only 2%.
”The IMF is cutting ties with Zimbabwe precisely because of that government’s pattern of corruption, misappropriation and human rights violations.
”If South Africa steps in with loans, such loans could be regarded as odious debt under international law, meaning a future post-Mugabe government would not be obliged to pay us back,” he said.
It is also questionable whether South Africa can afford to finance Zimbabwe’s request even under the best of circumstances.
South Africa should not provide any assistance beyond emergency relief until the Zimbabwean government meets strict conditions, including ending the so-called clean-up operation, and opening formal, public negotiations with opposition parties under the supervision of the African Union and the United Nations.
International aid agencies should also be allowed to operate freely within Zimbabwe, and proof of all purchases made with money donated or loaned by South Africa should be provided.
Leon pointed out that should a loan of such magnitude be considered, constitutional requirements mean it will have to come before Parliament for approval.
Such approval could only be granted once Parliament reconvenes, or if a special sitting of Parliament is convenes, he said. — Sapa