Johannesburg — THE South African government has lambasted the bickering parties in Zimbabwe, saying that a lack of political will has resulted in ordinary Zimbabweans bearing the brunt of the constitutional stalemate in that country.
The government also said the window of opportunity to provide assistance to the agricultural sector in Zimbabwe had passed due to the "failure" of Zimbabwean political leaders to form a representative government.
In a statement yesterday following a cabinet meeting, the government expressed "extreme" concern about the political crisis in Zimbabwe, saying the current impasse has resulted in a humanitarian crisis in that country. No amount of political disagreement could ever justify the suffering that ordinary Zimbabweans were being subjected to at the moment.
The government also appointed an interdepartmental task team to "identify and implement measures" to ensure that the reported service delivery crisis in Zimbabwe did not lead to increased cross-border movement to health facilities in Limpopo that were already "overstretched".
"The team will be led by the department of health and will include the departments of foreign affairs, water affairs and forestry, and provincial and local government. Other departments will be joining the team on a needs basis," the cabinet statement said.
The cholera outbreak in parts of Zimbabwe was an indication that "ordinary Zimbabweans are the true victims of their leaders' lack of political will and failure to demonstrate seriousness to resolve the political impasse", the statement read.
The government was disappointed to note "that political interests have taken priority at the expense of the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans".
The cabinet decided that an approved R300m would be retained for agricultural assistance to Zimbabwe. However, this money would only be disbursed once a representative government was in place, and in time for the next planting season, in April next year.
The agriculture and land affairs department will prepare a proposal on SA's contribution to address the humanitarian situation in Zimbabwe.
Like its counterparts in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), SA was also keen to see a political settlement sooner rather than later so that the region could start focusing on the most urgent measures needed to rebuild Zimbabwe's economy, the government said.
The cabinet decided that SA should provide assistance to Zimbabwe to address the cholera outbreak, as well as scaling up malaria control activities in the cross-border area.
"SA is already in discussions with multilateral agencies such as SADC and the World Health Organisation in this regard," the cabinet statement said.
"A strategy will be put in place on an urgent basis to provide assistance to the people of Zimbabwe and to provide support to our health authorities in the Limpopo province to enable them to cope with the serious situation."
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PRESSURE??WHAT PRESSURE??NOT FROM S.AFRICA.I THOUGHT MBEKI WAS WORSE BUT WAS REALLY MISTAKEN.THE ANC AS A WHOLE IS ENJOYING THIS BICKERING FROM ZIM.NOW THE LIMPOPO PROVINCE REAPING THE REWARDS FROM MBEKI AND HIS SILENT DIPLOMACY.FORGET ABOUT THESE ANC CLOWNS.MBEKI FAILED ZIM PEOPLE AND NOW ITS MONTLANTE.
The ANC and theSA government have been the laughing stock to the world for having encouraged devil Mugabe to prolong his illegitimate rule!
What pressure? No pressure has ever been applied against Mugabe. Instead, it seems SA is happy to host some 4 million refugees from Zimbabwe just to bring down wage pressure and counter trade union militancy in SA.
If pressure there is, let it be a complete blocade of Mugabe & his thugs, the Army and the CIO. Mugabe will not be able to put up for even 24 hrs!
Let's not ridicule ourselves about perceived pressure from SA against Mugabe.
Prem, SA does not rule Zim, its governed by its own people. You just talk of pressure, pressure what pressure you think SA can attack Zim, why, its not possible, no reason. Zim issues should be delt with by Zims and not by pressure from outside, that is what is called interference, like what stupid little Bots is doing, its day will come
Icho, Prem is right! SA failed to see the problems with Mugabe and how he will never give up power. Yes, it is embarrassing to SA given what we know. SA as a big power and one tasked by the AU and UN to help solve the problems in Zimbabwe has failed. Instead, Mbeki embraced MUgabe and his policies in Zimbabwe. Had Mbeki been frank and honest regarding the Zimbabwean situation...Mugabe could have been put on the spot a long time ago and the international community could have supported SA, if it had taken a tough stand. Leaders must also be able to see things ahead. Mbeki's dealing with Mugabe was misleading to Zimbabweans and the international community.
You are very right Prem. A boycot of the worldcup of soccer 2010 in SA could raise the pressure on the SA government to change there Zimpolicy finally.
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