Statements of the ANC and SA Government on Zimbabwe: January 2019
Date and Source: 20 January 2019, News24
Retrieved from:
news24.com/Africa/Zimbabwe/anc-raises-concerns-over-drc-zim-instability-20190124
Statement
News24: ANC and alliance partners hold an NEC lekgotla
Key Issues
“The ANC has said that it has noted with concern the political situations in both Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)”
“In a statement on Thursday, the ANC said it understood that the recent fuel hikes, which led to violent protests in Zimbabwe last week, had a dire impact on the cost of living on ordinary Zimbabweans”
“As a movement, international relations are part of our discussions. We are aware of the situation in Zimbabwe and the world, and we are discussing it,” said Magashule.
“That you can see people in the streets indicates that there are challenges,” said the ANC’s head in the international relations subcommittee, Lindiwe Zulu.
“[Lindiwe Zulu] said the ANC-led government, through its Department of International Relations and Cooperation, had been engaging with Zimbabwe since 2018”
“Then discussions must be sped up and assist Zimbabwe to recover. There is an economic problem, which needs the assistance of South Africa as soon as possible.”
“Zulu said the ANC needed parallel processes where it could engage with Zanu-PF as a fellow liberation movement over developments in the country”
Date and Source: 20 January 2019, DIRCO
Retrieved from:
http://www.dirco.gov.za/docs/2019/zimb0115.htm
Statement
DIRCO Media Statement:
South Africa statement on protests in Zimbabwe
Key Issues
“The South African Government has noted protest action in Zimbabwe and is monitoring the situation. Consultations are taking place between diplomats; we are confident that the measures being taken by the Zimbabwean Government will resolve the situation.”
Date and Source: 24 January 2019, ANC
Retrieved from:
https://anc1912.org.za/myanc-anc-statement-developments-zimbabwe-and-drc-httpstcoq7suqv6saa
Statement
ANC Formal Statement: On Developments in Zimbabwe
Key Issues
“[t]he African National Congress notes with concern the political [situation] in Zimbabwe.
In the wake of recent fuel price hikes, citizens have protested, with tragic loss of life. The fuel price hikes understandably have dire impact on the cost of living of ordinary Zimbabweans. This is matter of serious concern to the [ANC].
South Africa has a proud record of working towards building a continent and world which is safer and better. It is therefore incumbent upon the ANC and the South African government to assist the people and leaders of Zimbabwe to do everything in their power to bring about political stability and peace in their [country], so that they can deal with the economic challenges they are facing. All initiatives in this regard should be guided by the objectives of SADC and the African Union…The ANC continues to engage with political parties in Zimbabwe, to encourage them to work towards a peaceful solution and political stability, so that all efforts can go towards socio-economic development and reconstruction.”
Date and Source: 25 January 2019, Sowetan
Retrieved from: https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/africa/2019-01-20-sa-government-says-life-in-zimbabwe-is-returning-to-normal/
Statement
Sowetan: SA government says life in Zimbabwe is “returning to normal”
Key Issues
“The department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) says it is business as usual in Zimbabwe following almost a week of bloody protests that claimed several lives and left dozens injured” (Sowetan, 2019).
“The minister [Lindiwe Sisulu] has noted that protests in Zimbabwe have calmed down and life in the streets of Zimbabwe is returning to normal‚” said DIRCO’s spokesperson‚ Ndivhuwo Mabaya.
“Minister Sisulu indicated that the South African government was working with the Zimbabwean government in finding a short- and long-term solution to the economic situation‚” said Mabaya.
“The minister added that if the situation is not attended to‚ the current economic challenges can derail the political and economic progress the country has made since the election of the new president.”