It was only a matter of time following the recent round of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe before the world’s foreign ministers started harrumphing — and insisting in testy tones that South Africa start dealing with its northern neighbour.
Asked about South Africa’s policy of not confronting the Harare government, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, said Robert Mugabe’s regime had only lasted this long because of “certain outside support”.
“We have to put pressure on those [who support Zimbabwe] to up the ante because, frankly, this has turned into an absolute disaster over the years and Mugabe should have gone a long, long time ago,” he said.
Australia’s Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, called on neighbouring countries, particularly South Africa, to do more to halt the violence. “They are the countries that can have influence on Zimbabwe, and we will continue to lobby them to be more decisive in the action they’re taking.”
South Africa’s policy of quiet diplomacy has not succeeded, he said. “The situation in Zimbabwe is going from awful to catastrophic and I have to say there really has to be a much bigger effort from neighbouring countries.”
For its part, the African National Congress (ANC) said it was ‘concerned” about the current situation in Zimbabwe. Party spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama reiterated the ANC’s call for all in Zimbabwe to respect and uphold the Constitution and law of the land.
The Democratic Alliance’s spokesperson Douglas Gibson was more forthright. “For South Africa to opine that Zimbabwe must ‘observe the rule of law’ is like telling criminals the same thing and expecting them to behave. South Africa’s quiet diplomacy is an abject failure and it is time that our country made it clear to President Mugabe that he is in no sense a friend.”
Zimbabwe is a vexing question for President Thabo Mbeki. Perhaps he really is engaging with Mugabe behind the scenes. But given the recent savage crushing of Zimbabwe’s opposition, that seems unlikely. On the other hand, what good would it do to condemn the regime publicly? Mugabe would merely dust off some of the choice epithets he usually reserves for British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
To condemn publicly and unequivocally the violent regime would, however, send a signal to Mugabe that Mbeki’s patience was at an end. It would also help if the African Union presented a united front on the issue.
The choice is a simple one for the leader writer of the Financial Times: ‘Get involved now, while the Zimbabwean state can be saved, or get unavoidably involved later.”
| FULL SPEED AHEAD |
NOT SO FAST |
Morgan Tsvangirai
Images of Tsvangirai’s puffy face were flashed around the world this week following his savage beating at the hands of the Zimbabwe’s security forces. He must have known the risks associated with standing up to the regime, and showed great courage in doing so. |
 Robert Mugabe
Mugabe is a tyrant and he must go. He has ruined his country; hardly anyone has work, and if anyone does complain, heaven help them. Where exactly is he hoping to enjoy his retirement? In the smoking ruins? But then again, were he to ask, South Africa would probably offer him a berth. |
Most-read stories
March 8 to 14
1. Will Mugabe declare state of emergency?
Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe is considering a tough security plan that could see the troubled Southern African country placed under a state of emergency within the coming month, independent news service ZimOnline reported on Tuesday.
2. MDC leader ‘battling for his life’
Zimbabwe’s chief opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been left fighting for his life after being brutally beaten in police custody, his deputy claimed on Monday.
3. US urges Mugabe to release Tsvangirai
The United States called on Sunday for the immediate release of Zimbabwean opposition leaders detained after riot police thwarted a planned mass protest against President Robert Mugabe’s government.
4. SA: Zim must solve its own problems
Zimbabwe’s problems should be solved by the people of that country, the South African Foreign Affairs Department said on Tuesday.
5. Tsvangirai ‘tortured’ by police
Police assaulted and tortured Zimbabwe’s most prominent opposition leader after breaking up a protest prayer meeting, leaving him with deep gashes on his head and shoulders, colleagues said on Monday.
6. Leon: Zim arrests a ‘wake-up call’ for Mbeki
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Tony Leon on Monday called on President Thabo Mbeki to urgently review the government’s approach to Zimbabwe after Sunday’s arrest of opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
7. Gono admits meltdown
Zimbabwe is hungry and broke, the country’s central bank governor has warned in a frank admission that President Robert Mugabe’s government is unable to provide adequate food supplies or maintain many basic services.
8. Mugabe faces threat from within
The major threat to Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe comes from disgruntled members of his Zanu-PF party upset with his plans to extend his rule rather than the official opposition, according to analysts.
9. Vavi: We’ll take over the ANC
Cosatu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi spoke to Mail & Guardian reporter Rapule Tabane about Cosatu’s plans for the ANC.
10. Zikalala rapped over knuckles for blacklist
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) head of news Snuki Zikalala was warned that should blacklisting of political commentators by the public broadcaster occur again stronger action would be taken against him, SABC news reported on Wednesday.