Cape Town — The furore over 70 tons of Chinese weapons destined for Zimbabwe deepened yesterday, with the government saying it could not impose a unilateral embargo on the arms, and the Democratic Alliance warning they would be used against civilians.
The weapons are on board a Chinese freighter in Durban harbour but last night the South African Revenue Service said the vessel An Yue Jiang was at outer anchorage, or off port limits, and therefore "the cargo is not deemed to have been imported into SA yet".
There are apparently 3-million rounds of AK-47 ammunition, 3500 mortars and mortar tubes, as well as grenade launchers in the consignment.
There is concern about the weapons going into the tension of Zimbabwe's post-election stand-off and perhaps being used against civilians opposed to President Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF).
Chief government spokesman Themba Maseko, in response to intense questioning, told a post-cabinet news conference that in the absence of any embargo against Zimbabwe, SA would have to allow the arms passage across the country if all the paperwork was in order.
It was reported yesterday that the National Conventional Arms Control Committee had al-ready approved a transit permit.
Maseko said SA was not in a position to act unilaterally to stop a transaction between China and Zimbabwe. He said SA was simply a conduit for the trade and this in no way suggested that it favoured the deal or not. He said it had to be ensured that the consignment was properly sealed so that none of the weapons ended up in SA.
Democratic Alliance defence spokesman Rafeek Shah said the "softly, softly" attitude towards perhaps upsetting Zimbabwe "is the surest sign yet that the government has completely lost the plot" on the Zimbabwe issue.
"If the government allows a consignment of weapons (including rocket launchers and ammunition) to cross South African territory unhindered, and stands idly by while these weapons are used to suppress the Zimbabwean people, then any pretence that we are an honest broker in the Zimbabwean electoral process will be exposed for the sham that it is."
Shah said it was being reported that the Zanu (PF) government had stepped up the deployment of the army, police and intelligence units countrywide in order to harass and intimidate supporters of the opposition. "Apart from the obvious moral imperatives for stopping the shipment, the government is also legally obliged to act.
"According to the National Conventional Arms Control Act , anyone who conveys, freights, or transfers conventional weapons is required to apply for a conveyance permit, and permits must be granted only by the National Conventional Arms Control Committee after considering how those weapons will be used.
"It clearly states in the act that the committee must avoid transfers of weapons to governments that suppress human rights or where the weapons are likely to escalate conflict and endanger peace."
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I think it is now time to tell South Africa thanks for nothing in get the international community involved in resolving this issue in Zimbabwe b/c they seems to be to many biased people connected to Mugabe there b/c nothing has been accomplished.
If South Africa allows these arms to enter Zimbabwe courtesy of China then they should be held as responsible for their actions once these arms are used against the people of Zimbabwe.
Everyone knows the election is a sham and Mugabe is going to do whatever it takes to stay in office which is naturally cheating and using force and fear among the people of Zimbabwe. The Zanu knows if they leave that well many of them will be convicted rightfully of as well as Mugabe that man has nowhere to go outside Zimbabwe once He is out b/c he knows he will be arrested and convicted of war crimes.
You are right - none of the African countries care about the Zim situation! Their leaders are all just like Mugabe, too busy stealing and feathering their own nests whilst on tremendous power trips. Welcome the west intervention to assist the poor average Zimbabweans who are suffering so much under this ruthless couldn't care less leader.
Just so you guys know.
I am South African and I have NEVER met another South African who supports Mugabe.
We are all in Shock at the one-sided approach that our president seems to be taking on this issue.
The South African stance is almost completely opposite to The South African presidents stance ! sad but true.
Given that both Mbeki & Mugabe repeatedly assure us there is no crisis in Zimbabwe what is the hurry to get these arms to the Zimbabwe regime?
Arms are not needed for feeding people, nor are they needed to provide them with education or health care. If South Africa really wants to support the democratic process, why not hold up the trans-shipment of arms and use this lever to encourage Mugabe to publish the much delayed election results and opens up a space for independent, objective observers and the opposition to be involved in a transparent interrogation of the results and ultimately in any re-run process if required.
Regrettably South Africa is involved, not a detached bystander. Millions of Zimbabwean live there because of Mr Mugabe. Do right Mbeki. Either you support democracy or you support dictators.
I guess we should all ignore the movies from Hollywood on covert insertions by US and Britain militaries. Mugabe has a right to defend his country by any means necessary. 40 million Americans don't have healthcare and Bush is occupying Iraq! Put that in your imperialist pipe and smoke it!
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