Briefing the media here, Maite Nkoana Mashabane, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, also expressed worry at the continuing arrests of MDC officials by Zimbabwean police.
President Robert Mugabe, senior members of his Zanu (PF) and security chiefs have been blamed for continuing their politics of hate against political opponents, who they have refused to acknowledge as part of the executive despite the two-year-old national unity government.
Mugabe has also refused military reforms, amendments to repressive legislation and freeing of media space, while continuing to use state media to attack especially the mainstream MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai – the victor in the March 2008 Presidential elections.
Mugabe’s obstinacy, which has already been condemned by the regional SADC bloc, continues to be blamed for lack of progress in both constitutional amendments and delays in the formulation of a roadmap that is meant to allow free and fair elections in the country.
“The political situation in Zimbabwe remains polarized due to the slow pace of the implementation of the GPA,” said Mashabane.
Zimbabwe’s political party negotiators are expected to resume talks to finalise the roadmap ahead of the coming SADC Summit in Luanda, Angola next month.
“After President Zuma’s latest report was presented Sandton summit, they expect the political leadership in Zimbabwe to implement the decisions taken by the Summit.
“Furthermore, SADC is currently working on the appointment of officials to participate in the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee in line with the outcomes of the Sandton Summit,” said the minister.
She suggested that very little had changed since summit and expressed concern at the
the arrest of MDC-T Minister Jameson Timba, who was only released last week.
She said SADC’s focus was firmly on the creation of a conducive environment for credible, peaceful, free and fair elections.
Post published in: Africa News