South Africa will not allow President Robert Mugabe to force elections before a new constitution is in place. Mugabe and his Zanu (PF) have threatened to hold elections without key reforms agreed in the GPA, but Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, SA’s International Relations and Cooperation Minister, said this week that this would not be.
MDC intensifies campaign
The mainstream MDC has rolled out an outreach campaign that seeks to resuscitate the party’s support bases in South Africa ahead of elections. The party launched its campaign in various districts in the Northwest.
Organizing Secretary Samuel Mavhunga said this was an ongoing process to be extended to other districts this month.
Ndebeles visit SA
Thousands of Ndebele-speaking Zimbabweans travelled to South Africa for a get-together ceremony. The ceremony was presided over by Ndebele King
Makhosonke II, who encouraged members of the tribe to take education seriously so that they could continue to remain relevant.
Terrorist investigated
The South African government has initiated an investigation into the authenticity of the alleged South African passport used by a British national suspected to be involved in the recent Kenyan terrorist attacks. The Home Affairs Department said it would liaise with relevant law-enforcement agencies in the country and internationally as part of this investigation.
Coltart in Diaspora
The Zimbabwe Diaspora Education Support Initiative will hold a consultation meeting with David Coltart, the Minister of Education, Sports, Arts and Culture in Johannesburg on Saturday.
ZDESI is a loose network of organisations and individuals that are based in the Zimbabwean Diaspora, fighting to restore the education system.
SA releases R500 mil
The R500 million revolving fund for Zimbabwe pledged by South Africa in 2010 has been operationalized, following meetings between the two countries last week.
Economic Planning and Investment Promotio n permanent secretary Desire Sibanda said this was made possible by the ratification of the bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement between the countries last year.
Sibanda said South Africa would be sending a delegation to Harare and Bulawayo by the end of this month.
“The money doesn’t come to us, but goes to the business sector. Part of it has already come albeit at a slow pace, ” he said.
Post published in: Africa News