TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG – THE South African opposition, Democratic Alliance, has requested that the government summons the Zimbabwean Ambassador to the neighbouring country, Isaac Moyo, to answer for the use of violence by police against protesting citizens.

DA Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Stevens Mokgalapa, disclosed the party had written to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, for the envoy to be summoned.

This follows police reacting with brutality to protestors demonstrating against the worsening economic conditions under the regime of President Robert Mugabe.

Scores were arrested in the protests.

Mokgalapa said South Africa’s foreign policy should be underpinned by respect for human rights.

“Our government’s continued silence on recent developments is deafening and a tacit condonation of the oppression being witnessed north of the Limpopo River,” he said.

He said the developments in Zimbabwe could not be ignored as it directly impacted on South Africa.

Hence, the protests should be a major agenda item for the South African government.

“It is high time that our Minister stop her ignorant ramblings and play the part of South Africa’s diplomat-in-chief by speaking up when it matters most, and defend human rights,” said Mokgalapa.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, South Africa raised “concern” at the introduction of the move by Zimbabwe to restriction imports.

– Guardian