Hansard: Member's Statements

House: National Assembly

Date of Meeting: 17 Feb 2010

Summary

No summary available.

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Minutes

UNREVISED HANSARD

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Thursday, 18 February 2010

Mr P S SIZANI

EUROPEAN UNION SANCTIONS ON ZANU-PF

(Member's Statement)

Mr K S MUBU (DA): House Chairperson, the decision by the European Union to extend its sanctions on Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe and his cronies, is a welcome move and should be applauded by all who wish to see progress in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement in that country. Mugabe and his Zanu-PF has stubbornly refused to fully observe and implement a GPA under the pretext that the Movement for Democratic Change has failed to convince its colonial masters in Europe to remove the sanctions.

It should be understood that the sanctions by the EU are not against the people of Zimbabwe, but are targeted against Mugabe and close individuals with links to the reign of terror in that country. For as long as there is no progress in the implementation of the GPA, the DA supports the EU continued sanctions on Mugabe and his cronies.

The DA calls on President Zuma to act now by implementing the DA's road map to democracy to ease tensions between Zanu-PF and MDC and to pave the way for free and fair elections and democratic consultation in that country. South Africa has a strong role to play in preventing politically motivated violence in the run-up to Zimbabwe's elections and ensuring that it's not mauled by political intimidation and meddling.

Mugabe has indicated time and again that he is not interested in power sharing and despite reneging on numerous agreements set out in the GPA, President Zuma has said nothing and provides no mediation between and MDC and Zaun-PF leaders. As a champion for African democracy and leader in the continent, South Africa is fully empowered for the role it needs to play, but President Zuma remains reluctant to act. Thank you. [Applause.]

Mr M E GEORGE (Cope)

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