DA welcomes Zim election postponement

The DA welcomes the decision by the South African Development Community (SADC) to postpone elections in Zimbabwe. This is a positive move on the part of SADC and we call on all parties involved to remain firm on the need for reforms to take place before elections take place in Zimbabwe.

Yesterday, members of SADC over-turned Robert Mugabe's unilateral decision to proclaim July 31 2013 as the date for Zimbabwe's election. SADC has requested that the Zimbabwean Constitutional Court be petitioned to request a two week extension.

SADC did not discuss funding for the elections and this remains its greatest leverage in ensuring that elections do not take place unless there are vital political, media and security reforms.

President Mugabe must not be allowed to bulldoze the Global Political Agreement to his and Zanu-PF's benefit. South Africa must continue to play a part in ensuring that the elections in Zimbabwe are free and fair.

Statement issued by Ian Davidson MP, DA Shadow Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, June 16 2013

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