HARARE - South African President Jacob Zuma last week said Zimbabwe's inclusive government was making progress, but sources said the South African leader boldly told President Robert Mugabe behind closed doors to fulfill commitments made under the Global Political Agreement (GPA). (Pictured: ANCs Gwede Mantashe -- We will be more vocal but wSpeaking at state dinner hosted for him by President Robert Mugabe, the South African leader said his country and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) that he chairs remained committed to helping Zimbabwes political leaders implement the GPA that gave birth to the power-sharing government.
“It is indeed very encouraging to note the significant progress that has been made under the auspices of the inclusive government,” Zuma said.
However sources said Zumas friendly tone in public was merely for the Press, adding that the South African leader had insisted to Mugabe that he had to abide by the power-sharing agreement that the veteran Zimbabwean leader has repeatedly flouted.
Before Zumas arrival in Harare his top lieutenant and secretary general of South Africas ruling ANC party Gwede Mantashe had made it clear that he (Zuma) was going to be more vocal in his assessment of the situation in Zimbabwe, signalling a departure from former president Thabo Mbekis quiet diplomacy.
Mantashe said: “President Zuma will be more vocal in terms of what we see as deviant behaviour,” ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe told reporters. “If there is deviant behaviour, we will be more vocal . . . but we will still engage.”
Zimbabwes unity government has done well to stabilise the economy and end inflation that was estimated at more than a trillion percent at the height of the countrys economic meltdown last year.
But analysts remain doubtful about the administrations long-term effectiveness, citing unending squabbles between Zanu (PF) and MDC as well as the coalition governments inability to secure direct financial support from rich Western nations.