South Africa’s Cabinet has urged Zimbabwe’s government and opposition to stop pointing fingers at each other in public.
”We are aware, as we move closer and closer to getting negotiations on track, chances are that both parties would be making all kind of statements about and against each other… I see no value in both parties, the opposition leaders and the government, continuing pointing fingers at each other,” said government spokesperson Themba Maseko.
Briefing the media on Thursday following a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Maseko said President Thabo Mbeki would encourage the Zimbabweans to express their views and critique each other ”around the table” as part of the process for preparing for full negotiations.
Mbeki was asked by the Southern African Development Community to act as facilitator, a responsibility the Cabinet welcomed.
In the meantime, Maseko said the South African government would not make any statements on the progress of the facilitation.
”We’ll handle these matters behind closed doors and handle them confidentially and will not divulge any details about what is happening between our government and the various protagonists in Zimbabwe,” he said.
”There will be milestones and when milestones are achieved there will be communications.” — Sapa