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SA talks tougher on Mugabe excesses
Wyndham Hartley, Business Day (SA)
March 29, 2007

http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/topstories.aspx?ID=BD4A424291

CAPE TOWN — Government has been stung into making its strongest condemnation yet of the violent detentions and arrests in Zimbabwe, but has insisted that its policy of quiet diplomacy and the promotion of dialogue is the right course of action.

The statement, in a snap debate in the National Assembly yesterday, came as President Robert Mugabe cracked down again on opposition leaders, with the Movement for Democratic Change’s Morgan Tsvangirai being detained briefly by police.

It also came ahead of today’s extraordinary summit of Southern African Development Community leaders in Tanzania to discuss Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

President Thabo Mbeki has cancelled all domestic appointments to attend the meeting, which Mugabe will also attend.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sue van der Merwe, who stated government’s position in a rowdy debate, was often interrupted by opposition MPs who called for Mugabe to be ousted.

"The latest political developments in Zimbabwe, including the arrests, detention and assaults on senior opposition leaders, are a major cause for concern.

"The South African government wishes to stress its concern, disappointment and disapproval of the measures undertaken by the security forces in dealing with the political protests," Van der Merwe said.

She reiterated that government had maintained contact with all sides of the political spectrum in Zimbabwe to promote the dialogue needed to begin finding a solution to the crisis.

"We are constantly made aware of messages regarding Zimbabwe that come from regional groups such as the European Union, and other countries. The difference between their position and ours relates to geography. We, as neighbours, will carry the consequences of anything that happens in Zimbabwe."

Opposition MPs were not convinced. Inkatha Freedom Party MP Albert Mncwango said Mugabe was a hideous and destructive dictator who had to go.

Democratic Alliance chief whip Douglas Gibson said SA needed to apply pressure to "make it clear publicly that SA is appalled at the mess that is Zimbabwe and wants it resolved".

"We need to apply smart sanctions against President Mugabe, his wife and cabinet, so that SA is no longer their place for luxury shopping. The SADC must also apply smart sanctions. These target the guilty and not the poor."

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