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Visit of Deputy President J Zuma to
Zimbabwe
Deputy President Jacob Zuma today undertook a working
visit to Zimbabwe for talks with President Robert Mugabe
as part of ongoing consultations between the governments
of South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The Deputy President was accompanied by the Minister
of Labour, Membathisi Mdladlana.
The Deputy President met with President Mugabe, Vice
Presidents Joseph Msika and Simon Muzenda, and a number
of Cabinet Ministers including those of foreign affairs
and state security.
A wide range of issues were discussed pertaining to
the situation in Zimbabwe.
Among these were the following:
1. The Deputy President informed President Mugabe of
the preliminary report of the South African Observer
Mission, which had issued a statement to the effect
that the elections were legitimate. Deputy President
Zuma informed President Mugabe that the SAOM report
is part of a process involving various bodies such as
SADC, the OAU and the Commonwealth which also had observer
teams in Zimbabwe, and that South Africa, as a member
of these organisations, will have to await these reports
before responding definitively on the issue. Deputy
President Zuma also congratulated President Mugabe on
his re-election, based on the preliminary reports.
2. Both the Deputy President and President Mugabe agreed
on the need for continued consultation and co-operation
between the two governments to address economic matters
such as the shortage of grain, continued co-operation,
trade and investments and a number of other bilateral
issues. These are matters that had been under discussion
already by the two governments.
3. The Deputy President pledged continued support for
Zimbabwe and its people.
4. President Mugabe said he acknowledged and appreciated
the role of all election observers, including those
from South Africa.
Contact Lakela Kaunda on 082 782 2575.
Issued by: The Presidency, 14 March 2002
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