Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has rejected South Africa’s latest attempt to intervene in the economic and political crisis in Zimbabwe.
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa dispatched special envoys Sydney Mufamadi and Baleka Mbete top Zimbabwe to speak to the government about ways they could assist to avert the crisis.
According to Bloomberg, Mnangagwa rebuffed the assistance and called the crackdown on civilizations by authorities ‘fabrications’. He told the envoys that his country does not need any assistance as there was no ‘situation’ in his country.
Pressed on the fact that Zimbabweans are not allowed to gather or protest against the government, Mnangagwa said his authorities were simply enforcing lockdown regulations and arrests were an internal matter that doesn’t warrant international intervention.
The envoys were also told they had no business interfering in Zimbabwean politics because they carried no brief from either the African Union (AU) or the Southern African Development Community (SADC), they said.
Tyrone Seale, Ramaphosa’s spokesman, said the envoys would brief the president this week about their trip to Zimbabwe.
South Africa’s ruling party ANC seem to be in sharp contrast with their counterparts Zanu PF with regards to the situation in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s ruling party castigated the ANC for rushing to comment on matter that doesn’t concern them before seeking clarity. The rant by Zanu PF came after ANC secretary general Ace Magashule said his organisation was looking at ways to assist Zimbabwe avert its crisis.
The situation calmed after ANC virtually met Zanu PF to iron out their differences. However after the two parties seemed to agree that there is no crisis in Zimbabwe, ANC.
Read More: Ramaphosa’s envoys barred from meeting Zimbabwe opposition
In an interview, the ruling African National Congress of South Africa’s International Relations Committee chairperson, Lindiwe Zulu, said there is urgent need to resolve the political crisis in Zimbabwe. “We have already said it from an ANC point of view that there is a crisis in Zimbabwe…”
President Ramaphosa has all the support he needs if he wants to engage in Zimbabwe.
The President is the one who has received the report from the envoys. We have already said from an ANC point of view that there is a crisis that needs to be attended. Its important for us to engage Zanu PF. We need to be frank with each other about what is happening in Zimbabwe. There is a solution to Zimbabwe’s problems. It is our responsibility and engagement is synonymous with us as a party. We will respect the other processes of engagement by President Ramaphosa.
Zulu says she is not moved by threats from Zanu PF’s spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa.
Zimbabwe is facing a shortage in food and fuel and inflation is currently at 737% with its currency collapsing. South Africa is home to over 2 million Zimbabweans running away from poor living conditions in Zimbabwe.
Read More: Pictures: Mnangagwa meets Ramaphosa’s special envoys