Zimbabwe could scupper progress and endanger future elections there, says
President Jacob Zuma .
Zuma, who left for the troubled country on an extended two-and-a-half day
visit last night, told Business Day yesterday that while he could not
"prescribe" to Zimbabweans how to resolve long-standing political and
economic problems, progress on the GPA was crucial.
"Unless we implement, it could jeopardise what needs to be done, especially
the final point, which is elections. Tensions could mount and the atmosphere
would not be conducive," he said.
Zuma would not be drawn on whether he would raise concern over apparent
threats to "indigenise" companies that could involve South African companies
operating there. " I am not sure . this matter will arise," he said.
President Robert Mugabe's decision to strip four ministers from the Movement
for Democratic Change (MDC) of their functions and powers have raised
tension in the shaky unity government .
Zuma's visit is the first since he took on the role of facilitator, and his
much vaunted skills as a negotiator will be tested.
The formation of an inclusive government last September has been bedevilled
by problems, ranging from Mugabe's unilateral appointment of the
attorney-general to the re-arrest of MDC treasurer and Deputy Agriculture
Minister Roy Bennett last month.
It is understood the South African government would encourage the parties to
move ahead and would try to convince the MDC to not get stuck on the three
issues that led to the present impasse.
* Business Day
