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SA works quietly to stabilise Zimbabwe
Wilson Johwa and Karima Brown, Leadership Nigeria
April 03, 2008

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SA is closely involved in behind the scenes attempts to stabilize Zimbabwe in a process that officials have described as "delicate and sensitive ".

Although foreign affairs said it would comment only once all election results had been finalized, Business Day understood that as the facilitator in the regionally mandated talks to stabilize the situation in Zimbabwe, SA was in continuing contact with the main contenders in the presidential race.

The intention was to persuade the parties to either conduct a run-off election later this month or negotiate an amicable settlement for President Robert Mugabe.

"The situation is very delicate and sensitive and SA will not join the chorus of calling for all sorts of things about the results while we know that will not solve the matter," sources close to the process said.

President Thabo Mbeki was believed to be involved in secret negotiations with sections of the security establishment to stave off possible military intervention in the event that Mugabe loses to the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change, Morgan Tsvangirai.

The African National Congress (ANC) also yesterday urged state institutions in Zimbabwe, including the army, police and intelligence services, to respect the outcome of Saturday's election.

The party's secretary-general, Gwede Mantashe, said the ANC made the call because the elections were an "emotional" issue and called on all Zimbabweans to act within the law.

Mantashe would not be drawn on speculation that Mbeki was trying to broker a deal involving some generals in the Zimbabwean army.

Presidential spokesman Mukoni Ratshitanga dismissed reports of SA's involvement in the Zimbabwe process as complete "fabrication". He said SA was merely part of the Southern African Development Community -led initiative to stabilise Zimbabwe.

However, it is understood that SA was worried about the possibility of violent clashes should voters on the ground be under the impression that the results were being withheld so they could be rigged.

SA was said to be working hard at helping Zimbabwe manage the situation that had the potential of turning thousands of Zimbabweans into refugees overnight.

Reports from Zimbabwe point to heightened security, particularly in the major centres and along the country's borders. Military personnel in civilian clothing had been deployed within the customs department on the Zimbabwe side of the Beitbridge border with SA.

Military intervention by some sections loyal to Mugabe had always been a threat as Tsvangirai was never fully accepted as a "legitimate" leader.

Meanwhile, MDC secretary- general Tendai Biti this week indicated a change in attitude of his party towards Pretoria by publicly thanking Mbeki for his role in midwifing the unfolding transition.

Institute for Security Studies African Security Analysis Programme head Wafula Okumu warned that too much focus was being placed on getting rid of one person.

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