Statements of the ANC and SA Government on Zimbabwe – August 2020
Date and Source
06 August 2020, iharare.com. Retrieved from: https://iharare.com/watch-anc-condemns-state-sponsored-violence-in-zimbabwe-warns-it-will-spill-over-into-south-africawatch-anc-condemns-state-sponsored-violence-in-zimbabwe-warns-it-will-spill-over-into-south-afric/
Statement
ANC Condemns State-Sponsored Violence in Zimbabwe, Warns It Will Spill Over into South Africa
Key Issues
‘In a stunning development, South Africa’s ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has broken ranks and condemned the state-sponsored violence in Zimbabwe.’
‘The ANC spoke out in favour of the #ZimbabweanLivesMovement and warned that the human rights abuses currently taking place in Zimbabwe will have negative repercussions on South Africa.’
‘ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule said that the violence in Zimbabwe is uncalled for and revealed that South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa is concerned about the events taking place in Zimbabwe.’
‘According to Magashule, Ramaphosa has reached out to President Emmerson Mnangagwa over the issue.’ He also revealed that the ANC was going to have a special session “to engage on Zimbabwe”.
Date and Source
06 August 2020, DIRCO (Twitter Statement). Retrieved from: https://twitter.com/DIRCO_ZA/status/1291294267743309824
Statement
SA Government Statement on the Developments in Zimbabwe
Key Issues
‘1/4 The Government of the Republic of South Africa has noted with concern the reports related to human rights violations in the Republic of #Zimbabwe
2/4 The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Dr. Naledi Pandor is in contact with her Zimbabwean counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Mr. Sibusiso Moyo.
3/4 As recent as on Tuesday, the two Ministers had a telephonic conversation, wherein Minister Pandor expressed South Africa’s readiness to assist if requested. Minister Pandor, reiterated South Africa’s commitment to peace and stability in the region and the African Continent.
4/4 She stated that it remains South Africa’s resolve to continue the pursuit for consultative solutions to address the existing socio-economic challenges and to contribute to the wellbeing of all Zimbabweans, the people of the SADC Region and Africans at large’
Date and Source
06 August 2020, eNCA. Retrieved from: https://twitter.com/eNCA/status/1291263691221012482
Statement
ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule has condemned the state-sponsored violence in #Zimbabwe, saying it’s uncalled for and will have consequences for South Africa.
Key Issues
‘Ace Magashule: We have discussed Zimbabwe; we are going to have a special session to engage on Zimbabwe. We see what is happening in Zimbabwe. The President (Cyril Ramaphosa) is interacting with the President of Zimbabwe, worried about what is taking place there. It will have a spill-over to South Africa, and so we will assist the Zimbabweans to stabilise their country, their economy. We have a role to play as South Africa, as AU (African Union) and the party, the ANC.
Vuyo Mvoko: And what do you think is going on there?
Ace Magashule: Well, I am not there, I watch the television. We have talked to some of the people who are exiled, who have run away from Zimbabwe. We know their story, we heard them. That is why we are interacting party to party, to raise some of their concerns that they have actually raised about what is happening in Zimbabwe.
Vuyo Mvoko: What have they raised with you?
Ace Magashule: For your internal matters as a disciplined secretary-general of the ANC, of course they have raised the fact that they have, there has been police brutality and such things. We are interacting with our counterparts, to raise what they (Zimbabweans exiled in South Africa) what they have raised.
Vuyo Mvoko: As a liberation movement you can’t condone the beating of women, who are sitting there on the ground helplessly, being beaten up by police. No revolutionary can condone such things.
Ace Magashule: There is no, of course there is no. We said Black Lives Matters, lives of human beings matter.
Vuyo Mvoko: So Zimbabwean Lives Matter?
Ace Magashule: Zimbabwean lives matter of course, what we see there on Television is uncalled for.’
Date and Source
06 August 2020, The Presidency, Pretoria. Retrieved from: http://www.presidency.gov.za/press-statements/president-appoints-special-envoys-zimbabwe
Statement
President appoints Special Envoys to Zimbabwe
Key Issues
‘The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa, has appointed Dr. Sydney Mufamadi and Ms Baleka Mbete as his Special Envoys to Zimbabwe, following recent reports of difficulties that the Republic of Zimbabwe is experiencing.’
‘The Special Envoys are expected to engage the Government of Zimbabwe and relevant stakeholders to identify possible ways in which South Africa can assist Zimbabwe.’
‘Dr. Sydney Mufamadi is the former Minister of Provincial and Local Government (1999 to 2008). In 1994, after South Africa’s first democratic elections, he was appointed Minister of Safety and Security in the Government of National Unity – a position he held until 1999. ‘
‘Ms. Baleka Mbete is former Deputy President of Republic of South Africa, former Speaker of the National Assembly and former Chairperson of the African National Congress (ANC).’
‘The President’s Special Envoys will leave for Zimbabwe as soon as all the arrangements are made.’
Date and Source
14 August 2020, The Daily Maverick. Retrieved from: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-14-zimbabwe-sa-and-anc-are-in-a-diplomatic-jam/
Statement
Zimbabwe: SA and ANC are in a Diplomatic Jam
Statement by International relations Minister, Dr. Naledi Pandor.
Key Issues
‘International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor told community station Radio 786 on Friday morning that the situation in Zimbabwe “impacts on South Africa” and engagement there aimed to “help resolve the problems there, in order to address our own situation and focus on the challenges of South Africa”.
‘Responding to a question on whether the envoys were barred by Zimbabwe’s government from meeting opposition parties and civil society, Pandor implied this was a result of Zimbabwe’s laws, though envoys would not be barred from such meetings in South Africa.’
“We respect the sovereignty of Zimbabwe but it is very important that we continue to engage,” she said. “There is a reality. Go to our border post and see how many Zimbabweans wish to come into South Africa and mainly for economic reasons.”’
‘She said it was in South Africa’s interests, given the economic situation, to continue talking to Harare.’
“If they feel we cannot help, we will hear that from them. But my understanding was that discussions were cordial and that indeed the desire of the president that there will be meetings with individuals and organisations other than the government was communicated by the envoys.”
Date and Source
11 August 2020, eNCA. Retrieved from: https://www.enca.com/news/zulu-there-political-crisis-zimbabwe
Statement
There is a Political Crisis in Zimbabwe
Key Issues
‘ANC’s International Relations Committee Chairperson, Lindiwe Zulu says its time, to be frank about the unrest in Zimbabwe.’
Zulu said the ANC regarded Zanu-PF as a “sister party”, but told eNCA: “In the ANC’s view there is a political crisis in Zimbabwe and we have to be frank and honest about it, because we are asking ourselves the question: Where is the dignity in all the Zimbabweans who are here?”