By AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – CHAIRPERSON of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Jacob Zuma, is sending special envoys to assess the situation in Zimbabwe.
The action follows a military takeover worsening the crisis Zimbabwe.
Zuma has deployed Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, and the Minister of State Security, Bongani Bongo, to Zimbabwe to meet President Robert Mugabe and the Zimbabwean Defence Force (ZDF).
The envoys will also be sent to Angola to brief President Joao Lourenco, Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security.
Zuma reiterated his call for calm and restraint and for the ZDF to ensure that peace and stability were not undermined in Zimbabwe.
“SADC will continue to monitor the situation closely,” Zuma’s government stated.
Meanwhile, South African opposition waded into the crisis in the neighbouring country.
Mmusi Maimane, leader of the Democratic Alliance, blamed the so-called quiet diplomacy by Zuma’s predecessor, Thabo Mbeki.
“Allowing Mr Mugabe to remain in office even after losing an election (in 2008) clearly sowed the seeds for what we are seeing today,” Maimane said.
Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, spokesperson of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), said all progressive forces all over the world should support the transition in Zimbabwe.
“Further degeneration of Zimbabwe should not occur. We have an obligation to protect Zimbabwe from such,” he said.
Millions of Zimbabweans have fled to South Africa following years of economic and political problems.
– CAJ News