No asylum request to SA from Mugabes, parliament hears
THE South African government has resolved not to interfere in the political situation in Zimbabwe.
This is according to Deputy International Relations and Cooperation Minister Luwellyn Launders.
Briefing parliament’s portfolio committee on international relations‚ Launders said it was the government’s position that South Africa should rather be part of the regional collective and engage with Zimbabwe through the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Launders also told MPs that the government had not received a request for asylum from former president Robert Mugabe or his wife, Grace, and their family.
Launders was forced to depart from his prepared presentation on the situation in Zimbabwe after it was overtaken by Mugabe’s resignation.
“The SADC is playing a monitoring role,” he said.
“I refer you to a statement by our minister of defence and military veterans who made the point‚ quite correctly I believe‚ from her past experience with the people of Zimbabwe to allow Zimbabweans to do what is expected of them and for us not to interfere.
“I believe our two special envoys stuck to that.
“They may have held discussions with former president Robert Mugabe.
“They’ve also kept the new president of Angola appraised of developments at all times.”
ANC MP Bhekizizwe Radebe praised Zimbabweans for their peaceful conduct. “When they had their own problems they were able to resolve them without any bloodletting.
“What is also important is to appreciate South Africa and the SADC in particular‚ that they didn’t go there to tell the people of Zimbabwe what they must do,” Radebe said.
ACDP MP Cheryllyn Dudley said she was very proud of the Zimbabwean people.
“It’s such an example. Respecting the ex-president‚ respecting each other‚ valuing unity,” she said.
“I also want to commend South Africa and the SADC in terms of being there immediately but respecting Zimbabwe’s independence.”
The international relations committee has proposed that SADC heads of state should provide strategic assistance to all stakeholders in Zimbabwe‚ if requested.