 |
| President Jacob Zuma |
South
Africa President,Jacob Zuma
DA International Relations and Co-operation shadow
minister, Stevens Mokgalapa said Zuma could not
remain silent if South Africa was to play its part to
mitigate the escalating unrest in Zimbabwe.
“The quiet diplomacy of the past cannot be allowed to repeat itself and, as history has shown, has the potential to allow for human rights violations to persist,” he said.
“The situation in Zimbabwe appears to be the result of a
shortage of resources – food and cash – as well as
dissatisfaction with the administration of President
Robert Mugabe. We call on Zuma – as a leader in the
Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region
– and International Relations and Co-operation minister,
Maite Nkoane-Mashabane to break their silence and
condemn the atrocities currently being carried out in
Zimbabwe.”
Mokgalapa said Zuma must give effect to South Africa’s
human rights-based foreign policy to ensure that no
more human rights abuses occur on the country’s
watch.
“Our government’s silence in this regard will make us
complicit in the escalation of the use of force against
civilians,” the DA official warned.
“South Africa’s most recent track record on human rights
on the international stage has left a lot to be desired and
it is time for us to step up and restore our commitment
to human rights.”
Mokgalapa said the time was ripe to find a solution that
would ensure that the will of the people in Zimbabwe
prevailed and also the upholding of democratic
principles and constitutionalism.
“Furthermore, the situation in Zimbabwe should serve as
a wakeup call for the South African government that,
without sound economic policies and a caring
government, the people will suffer and their
dissatisfaction will only be silenced for so long,” the
shadow minister said.
“Zimbabwe, like many other African nations, helped
South Africa in its fight for freedom and democracy. We
have a duty to ensure that Zimbabwe finds legitimate
freedom and democracy.”
DA International Relations and Co-operation shadow
minister, Stevens Mokgalapa said Zuma could not
remain silent if South Africa was to play its part to
mitigate the escalating unrest in Zimbabwe.
“The quiet diplomacy of the past cannot be allowed to repeat itself and, as history has shown, has the potential to allow for human rights violations to persist,” he said.
“The situation in Zimbabwe appears to be the result of a
shortage of resources – food and cash – as well as
dissatisfaction with the administration of President
Robert Mugabe. We call on Zuma – as a leader in the
Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region
– and International Relations and Co-operation minister,
Maite Nkoane-Mashabane to break their silence and
condemn the atrocities currently being carried out in
Zimbabwe.”
Mokgalapa said Zuma must give effect to South Africa’s
human rights-based foreign policy to ensure that no
more human rights abuses occur on the country’s
watch.
“Our government’s silence in this regard will make us
complicit in the escalation of the use of force against
civilians,” the DA official warned.
“South Africa’s most recent track record on human rights
on the international stage has left a lot to be desired and
it is time for us to step up and restore our commitment
to human rights.”
Mokgalapa said the time was ripe to find a solution that
would ensure that the will of the people in Zimbabwe
prevailed and also the upholding of democratic
principles and constitutionalism.
“Furthermore, the situation in Zimbabwe should serve as
a wakeup call for the South African government that,
without sound economic policies and a caring
government, the people will suffer and their
dissatisfaction will only be silenced for so long,” the
shadow minister said.
“Zimbabwe, like many other African nations, helped
South Africa in its fight for freedom and democracy. We
have a duty to ensure that Zimbabwe finds legitimate
freedom and democracy.”