HARARE - South African President Jacob Zuma has delayed his visit to Zimbabwe following the failure of the MDC and Zanu (PF) to begin negotiations this week, but it is possible that he might be forced to intervene soon. On November 5 President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prim Minister Arthur Mutambara were given 15-30 days to start talking. The deadline elapsed without any negotiations being held.
According to spokespeople in the South African government, the crisis should be resolved by December 5.
President Zuma, who took over from Thabo Mbeki as SADC facilitator of the talks between Zimbabwes political parties, plans to visit Zimbabwe on December 6. But, if no talks have been held before then, Zuma may be forced to step in before that.
Lindiwe Zulu, Zuma’s international relations adviser, told ***The Zimbabwean that the South African leader would still travel to Zimbabwe if no progress came out of those talks.
We are worried by the continuing haggling within the Zimbabwean government and as facilitator, President Zuma will travel there if the parties continue to fail to resolve their issues, said Zulu. It is time we rushed this issue for the good of Zimbabwe and its people, she said.
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