Zimbabwean ambassador to South Africa Simon Khaya Moyo has lodged a complaint with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) for ”negative” reporting on his country, the Herald newspaper said on Wednesday.
Its website quoted Moyo as saying the South African public broadcaster’s approach was astounding.
He expressed his displeasure in a letter to the SABC head of news in Johannesburg.
”The agenda is difficult to comprehend. I have personally received numerous calls from within and outside South Africa questioning the objectivity of your news on Zimbabwe,” said Moyo.
”For instance, because of incessant rains, a number of SADC [Southern African Development Community] countries have experienced outbreaks of cholera, but from your news point of view it is Zimbabwe in the dock.”
The ambassador said in his letter it was not for him to decide on how the SABC viewed Zimbabwe. However, the challenges Zimbabwe was facing were a result of a bilateral disagreement with its erstwhile colonial master Britain.
Moyo said Britain reneged on its obligation to fund land reform as spelt out at the Lancaster House conference that culminated in Zimbabwe’s independence.
Zimbabwe was a proud member of SADC the African Union, Non-Aligned Movement, United Nations and enjoyed cordial relations with all progressive states the world over.
Many good things were happening in Zimbabwe. With abundant rainfall this season after four years of drought, the economy was poised for a dramatic turnaround, Moyo said. – Sapa