Department of Foreign Affairs Releases Statement on Zimbabwe

By Ashley Wichman
14 March 2007

The South African government issued a statement yesterday regarding the recent turmoil in Zimbabwe.

According to Ronnie Mamoepa, spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad said that South Africa urges Zimbabwe to respect the rights of all Zimbabweans, including opposition political leaders.

Pahad also said that South Africa has concern about the recent reports of arrests and assaults toward opposition leaders in Zimbabwe, and that the current difficulties are symptoms of broader political and economic issues in the country.

“South Africa will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with all parties in Zimbabwe in the political, economic, trade and social sectors to ensure that the objective of dialogue among all political parties is realized,” said Pahad.

Zimbabwe has been in the news this week after opposition leaders were reportedly beaten unconscious by police.