Zuma advises against jumping to conclusions

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma has refused to speculate on the future of embattled Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, saying he would get a full report in the regional meeting in Botswana today.

Zuma told the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) yesterday that a wait-and-see attitude should be adopted on Zimbabwe.

The cabinet supported the intervention by Zuma after he sent special envoys to Harare this week following the coup. Communications Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane said Zuma had sent Defence Minister Nosiviwe MapisaNqakula and State Security Minister Bongani Bongo to mediate.

“They are to meet with President Mugabe and the Zimbabwe Defence Force. Thereafter, (they will) proceed to brief President João Lourenco (of Angola) as the chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security,” said Kubayi-Ngubane.

Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said: “We trust that current issues facing the people of Zimbabwe are resolved in a manner which does not undermine but rather supports ongoing regional and economic development.”

Zuma said: “Anyone who makes tight conclusion on Zimbabwe is a kind of politician who does not calculate. He added that the call anyone can make is for the people of Zimbabwe to remain calm.

Zuma also assured Parliament that irrespective of the new government that will take over in Zimbabwe it would not change relations that exist between the two countries, and SADC.