(HERALD) We can’t tell Zim leader to quit: SA
We can’t tell Zim leader to quit: SAAFP-Herald Reporter.
PRETORIA. South Africa yesterday rejected any notion it would call on President Mugabe to quit after Zimbabwe’s opposition called on regional powers to do so. "We are not a government who can ask other presidents to step down," Deputy Foreign Minister Mr Aziz Pahad told journalists in Pretoria.
"Nobody will tell us when our president will step down and we will never ever allow a situation that we ask other presidents to step down. On what basis would we do that? Zimbabwe is not a province of South Africa."
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has claimed victory in the March 29 presidential election, but the ruling Zanu-PF has said a run-off is needed.
As the official announcement seems to be interminably delayed amid legal wrangling and demands for a recount, Tsvangirai is touring the region urging Southern African leaders to exert greater pressure on Zimbabwe.
His MDC-T has called on Sadc leaders meeting in Zambia tomorrow to demand that President Mugabe — who has ruled Zimbabwe solidly since independence from Britain in 1980 — stand down.
Sadc chairman President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia was quoted by Western media reports on Wednesday saying he had called for a regional meeting to discuss Zimbabwe’s elections.
The Minister of Information and Publicity, Cde Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, has said Zimbabwe is prepared to apprise Sadc of political developments on the ground if need be as it has excellent relations and co-operation with its neighbours.
South African President Thabo Mbeki has come under fire for his muted response to the elections in Zimbabwe, but Mr Pahad said there were unrealistic expectations of the country’s role.
"I think people are overestimating what South Africa can do. We are not a hegemonistic power in the region that we can on a whim to impose our will."
Mr Pahad refused to confirm Mr Mbeki’s attendance at the Sadc summit, but said he would go "if his programme allows".
Tsvangirai made South Africa his first port of call after claiming victory in the poll and met on Monday with ruling ANC party chief Mr Jacob Zuma while Mr Mbeki was away in Europe.
A week after the polls, Mr Mbeki urged "patience" and described the situation in Zimbabwe as "manageable", angering the opposition.
President Mbeki has also said Zimbabwe is not a province of South Africa in resisting mounting Western pressure to condemn the just-ended elections.
Mr Mbeki’s office yesterday said he would be willing to meet Tsvangirai as soon as possible.
"As soon as we have a formal request we will meet with him at his earliest convenience, as the president would any other Zimbabwean leader," Mr Mbeki’s spokesman told Sapa news agency. — AFP-Herald Reporter.
Labels: NEOCOLONIALISM, SADC, SOUTH AFRICA, ZIMBABWE
posted by MrK @ 3:32 PM
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