The point is whether it matters. The whole world and probably most Zimbabweans believe that Mbeki has taken sides with Mugabe. It’s no surprise that ever time one of us locals suggest we do something about Zimbabwe, one of the buffoons masquerading as an “adviser” to Mbeki will ask someting like: “What? Do you want us to invade them?”
Well, No Mr Bufoon, that would be wrong. Mainly because our defence force has been so run down the Zimbabweans would probably beat us. But the man you’re advising needs to remember what country he is president of. Its South Africa. That means his job is to look after SA’s reputation and interests first.
How holding Mugabe’s hand helps South Africa is beond me. What Mbeki should have said ages ago, and could profitably say today is, “we in South Africa are apalled at the behaviour of the Government of Zimbabwe and we would like to offer any help we can to restore peace to our neighbour”.
Then, with South Africa’s reputation restored, we could play a meaningful role in a broad international diplomatic (and even military) effort to get a democratically elected government in place in Harare. Anything else is just so much rubbish. Nothing will move Mugabe and his cronies, except brute force.
Not now and not ever.
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