JOHANNESBURG – THE Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF) has added to calls for President Robert Mugabe to resign following the worsening economic situation and the subsequent violent protests.

The South African-based organization, which represents millions that have fled the economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe over the years, also appealed for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to intervene in the crisis.

“We demand that President Mugabe, who symbolizes all that is wrong in Zimbabwe today, steps down,” said ZEF Executive Director, Gabriel Shumba.

“We are calling upon SADC to assist us in making sure that this exit is as graceful as possible, and that a transitional authority is set up to pave way for fresh elections.

“We call upon the region, especially South Africa, to once again assist us as we attempt the journey to restore legitimacy,” Shumba said.

He urged civil society and the opposition to unite and pile the pressure on the current administration.

A lack of unity among opposition parties has been cited among Mugabe’s retaining power since 1980 at independence from Britain.

“The Zimbabwe Exiles Forum requests all civil society formations and political parties in Zimbabwe to set aside their artificial differences and intensify the protests to ensure that President Mugabe steps down to pave way for a better Zimbabwe,” Shumba said.

Violent protests have in recent days characterized the country following the government’s ban on imports of basic commodities from neighbouring countries, particularly South Africa.

This aggravated an already tense situation with most civil servants unpaid and rampant corruption by Mugabe’s administration. Among others, R225 billion worth of diamonds from Marange, just disappeared without trace under President Mugabe’s corrupt government.

Scores were arrested during protests police met with brutality.

– CAJ News