As opposition parties on Wednesday urged stronger action against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s regime, the government called, in no uncertain terms, on Mugabe to create a climate conducive for political dialogue in his country.
”The current Zimbabwean situation is a manifestation of the absence of open political dialogue, which is regrettably sinking the country into a deeper economic and political crisis from which only Zimbabweans can extricate themselves,” Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sue van der Merwe told MPs in the National Assembly.
Speaking during a special debate on Zimbabwe, taking place on the same day that agencies were reporting from Harare that opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had been arrested for the second time this month, Van der Merwe said the latest political developments there were a major cause for concern.
”The South African government wishes to express its concern, disappointment and disapproval of the measures undertaken by the security forces in dealing with the political protests,” she said.
”South Africa urges the government of Zimbabwe to ensure that the rule of law and human rights of Zimbabwean citizens are respected. The South African government calls on the Zimbabwean government to create a climate conducive for political dialogue.”
Van der Merwe said in the run-up to next year’s presidential election it was important that the main political protagonists agree on a framework that would guarantee the credibility of these elections.
”It is important in view of the fact that the outcome of the last two presidential elections was contested.”
South Africa firmly believed that respect for the rule of law and human rights and initiation of an enduring political process would pave the way for the resolution of Zimbabwean problems, Van der Merwe said.
Harsh words for Mugabe came from veteran Inkatha Freedom Party MP Albert Mncwango.
”Today we tell the tyrannical regime of Zimbabwe, time up! In God’s name, go!
”Modern history already judges us harshly for allowing the kleptocracy of Zimbabwe to terrorise and pillage this great country,” he said.
The vast political, economic and social progress made in South Africa over the past 13 years had roughly coincided with the systematic destruction of the Zimbabwean economy.
”Let us not forget that the entire world remained silent when over 20 000 Ndebeles were massacred in the 1980s, which is when the rot of appeasement set in,” Mncwango said.
Close to the heart of the crisis in Zimbabwe had been the perceived refusal of President Thabo Mbeki to use his considerable political leverage and prestige to try to halt the political and economic catastrophe.
”While not wishing to impugn our president, the harsh reality is that perceptions matter in the conduct of foreign policy, an area in which he has always excelled.”
It was not too late for Mbeki to live up to the unique anti-apartheid heritage that brought him to power and to mirror its inherent morality in South Africa’s approach to Zimbabwe.
”It is time to banish the old boys’ club mentality and stop sheltering dictators because of their liberation credentials.”
President Mbeki, working with the international community, could still play the role of honest broker in Zimbabwe by bringing all the parties to the table.
South Africa was ideally placed to host these negotiations as it had done with other African conflicts, Mncwango said.
Democratic Alliance chief whip Douglas Gibson agreed South Africa could play a stronger role, as it had elsewhere in Africa.
The focus had to be on bringing opposing sides to the negotiating table.
It was correct that Zimbabweans would in the final event have to resolve their own problems, but they could not do it alone.
”If we had adopted the same attitude to the Democratic Republic of Congo or to Côte d’Ivoire, they would not have had the slightest chance of resolving matters on their own.
”Why do we have a different attitude towards Zimbabwe? Or are we waiting for complete meltdown and for greater human suffering?” Gibson asked.
”Washing our hands of responsibility and expecting Zanu-PF to go to the negotiating table gives them a longer lease on life.
”We need to apply pressure and to encourage all other players within the region who are able to do so to apply pressure.”
It had to be made clear publicly that South Africa was appalled at the mess that was Zimbabwe today and wanted it resolved.
Smart sanctions needed to be applied to Mugabe, his wife and his Cabinet members so that South Africa was no longer their place for luxury shopping. These targeted the guilty and not the poor, Gibson said. — Sapa