SADC Summit: Zuma panders to Mugabe, undermines rule of law – Athol Trollip, MP

Evasive approach has weakened negotiations process by implicitly condoning Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabes disdain for rule of law

DA writes to President Zuma to request an explanation for the ANC governments implicit support for President Mugabes contemptuous conduct

I have today written to President Jacob Zuma to request an explanation for the ANC governments silence on the Zimbabwean governments flouting of a 2008 SADC Tribunal ruling, which declared that countrys disastrous policy of land reform as unlawful.

President Zumas glowing report on the Zimbabwean negotiations process, presented yesterday to the SADC Summit in Windhoek, failed to address the considerable obstacles blocking the path to the establishment of a democratic dispensation in that country. Most notably, the Presidents muted approach to Zimbabwes brazen contempt for the Tribunals ruling has further undermined the legitimacy of the highly-respected SADC Tribunal — and that of SADC itself.

The South African governments silence on this matter is as concerning as the Zimbabwean governments clear disregard for the rule of law. That the Tribunals ruling impacts the rights of the many South Africans who live, work and invest in the Zimbabwean farming community- and the economy in general- raises further questions about the ANC governments decision not to comment publically on this matter.

The Zuma administrations evasive approach to the Zimbabwean political situation continues to raise serious concerns about its political motivations for implicitly condoning President Robert Mugabes continually undemocratic behaviour. In refusing to condemn the Mugabe administrations contempt for the rights of those South Africans in Zimbabwe affected by the Tribunals ruling – rights which should also be protected by the newly ratified South Africa-Zimbabwe Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA)- the ANC government has placed its political affiliations above the rights of its own citizens.

That the ANC administration has resorted to court action to keep the contents of various reports into the Zimbabwean political situation out of the public domain is a powerful indicator of the governments determination to keep South Africans in the dark about the scale of Zimbabwes plight. The report compiled by Judges Dikgang Moseneke and Sisi Khampepe detailing their conclusions about the fairness of Zimbabwe’s 2002 presidential election, and the infamous Generals Report commissioned by former President Mbeki, are two such examples.

President Zumas smoke and mirrors approach to Zimbabwe has allowed President Mugabes despotic tendencies to flourish and the rights of South African citizens in Zimbabwe to be repeatedly and systematically abused.

This deserves a full explanation.

Media Enquiries:

Athol Trollip MP

DA Parliamentary Leader

Craig Kesson

Senior Media Officer

Athol Trollip MP is the DA’s Parliamentary Leader, and Shadow Minister of the Presidency. He was elected to the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature in 1999, became the DA Provincial Leader in 2000 and in 2007 became leader of the opposition in the legislature. Mr. Trollip also previously served as Democratic Party Councilor on the Amathole district council between 1995 and 1999.

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