ZIMBABWE: SOUTH AFRICA'S CONTUNUED SHAME
The recent statement by Keith Khoza, spokesperson for the African National Congress, that the party continues to support Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF is shameful and perplexing. It comes against the background of ZANU-PF'S active support of Julius Malema, and numerous derogatory comments aimed by ZANU-PF at President Jacob Zuma, Vice President Cyril Ramaphosa, Lindiwe Zulu and many other ANC luminaries.
But Khoza's statement should be seen in the context of a ten-year background of collusion initiated by former President Thabo Mbeki. Indeed, in 2008 I personally reminded President Mbeki during a meeting with MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai that, as a mediator who had sided blatantly with ZANU-PF, he had the blood of Zimbabwean citizens on his hands.
Mbeki's complicity continues to haunt Zuma's Presidency. The office of the presidency continues to refuse to make public the findings of a government report on Zimbabwe's disputed 2002 elections. The report was compiled by two of South Africa's most respected judges, appointed by Mbeki. Everyone knows their findings will shame South Africa. The scale and savagery unleashed upon innocent citizens of Zimbabwe by ZANU-PF over twenty years constitutes tribalism and racism that have, in turn, effectively resulted in ethnic cleansing
For the African National congress-the party of Nelson Mandela, Oliver Tambo, Beyers Naude and so many other superb role models-to embrace Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF is utterly contradictory. Is Khoza speaking for the ANC as a whole? We would like to know.
Khoza suggests that ZANU-PF deserves ANC support since it is ‘Experienced in Government'. It is simply incredible that the ANC should indicate official support for for a political party headed by an 89 year-old who has held absolute power for over thirty years.