South Africa is not paralysed in its policy towards Zimbabwe and will continue its engagement to prevent a complete collapse, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said on Wednesday.
She was responding to questions in the National Assembly on why, when South Africa is in a strong position to influence events in Zimbabwe, it appears to be paralysed.
”If there is any country that we’ve been engaging with, and spent hours and days … it is Zimbabwe. So, we are not paralysed,” she said.
”We may not have the results that you expect, but it doesn’t mean that we are not doing anything. It doesn’t mean that we are not engaging.
”I don’t think we should think or deceive ourselves and think we have some magic that we can wave and get Zimbabwe to change if they don’t want to change. That’s the honest truth. What is it that we can do?” she asked.
Nobody has anything to gain from a total collapse in Zimbabwe; not South Africa, not Zimbabwe, not Africa, and not humanity.
This would affect millions of Zimbabweans, as well as South Africa.
”So, it is important therefore that we avoid as far as we can the meltdown or total collapse of Zimbabwe.
”Even if it was already there, why should we make it worse? It is not in our interests to make it worse.”
Regarding President Robert Mugabe’s reported rejection of South African financial help because of conditions imposed, she said South Africa cannot ”force Zimbabwe to take a loan”. — Sapa