Mr R A Lees (DA-KZN) to ask the Deputy President:
(1) Whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure that President Robert Mugabe and the ZANU-PF fulfill their obligations as contained in their agreement with the Movement for Democratic Change and other political parties; if not, why not; if so, what are the details of such steps;
(2) Whether such steps have resulted in President Robert Mugabe and his party fulfilling their obligations; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Yes, the South African Government has, on a number of occasions, engaged all the parties to the Global Political Agreement with the view to support the full implementation of the agreement. Not long ago, President Jacob Zuma visited Zimbabwe to facilitate further discussions between all parties concerned. This was in addition to numerous other engagements facilitated by South African envoys.
Given ongoing engagements, the constitution drafting process and repeated assurances from all parties concerned, the South African Government remains optimistic that all outstanding contentious issues will be resolved, thus paving the way for free and fair elections in the near future.
Zimbabwean leaders are aware that this matter is and must be treated as a priority for the future of their country, Southern Africa and indeed the entire continent.
I thank you.
