Stephen T Chifamba
Harare (NewsoftheSouth) – AS THE local and regional push to end Zimbabwe’s decades-long political and economic crises gathers pace, South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) will dispatch a high-powered delegation to Harare this week to see how Pretoria can assist the country.
Zanu-PF secretary for administration, Obert Mpofu, confirmed to the Daily News On Sunday yesterday that the heavy-hitters from the ANC were indeed coming to Zimbabwe – and would be led by their secretary-general Ace Magashule.
“Of course they are coming, on Tuesday. They are the ones with issues. So, we will hear from them. We are sister parties. So, we will exchange notes when we meet them,” he said.
This comes as President Cyril Ramaphosa has been expending much time and energy in a bid to try to end Zimbabwe’s long-standing challenges – which were recently brought to the fore again after authorities were accused of gross human rights violations by the opposition and pro-democracy groups.
Last week, the South African leader said he would do everything in his power to assist Zimbabwe to end its problems, which had put a huge strain on Pretoria – Harare’s biggest trading partner.
“ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule will lead a delegation to engage Zanu-PF with the intention to develop a fuller understanding of the situation in Zimbabwe and to determine how the government and the ANC can assist.
“It was also agreed that the ANC must speak to all parties and stakeholders as well,” he said.
Ramaphosa also revealed then that Mnangagwa had recently expressed a desire that the ANC meets with the Zanu-PF politburo.
“In my discussions with President Mnangagwa, he informed me that their politburo wanted and desired to be in conversation with the ANC to discuss the situation much more fully in Zimbabwe, and we agreed that this delegation must now proceed.
“The NEC (the ANC’s national executive committee) expressed a deep desire that when they get there they should have an opportunity of meeting other stakeholders in Zimbabwe.
“Clearly, it is important that we get as broad a view of what is happening in Zimbabwe as we possibly can,” Ramaphosa added.
This comes as President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said that the country’s myriad challenges will only be resolved by unity of purpose among Zimbabweans.
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