Steps taken to Address the Governance Crisis in Zimbabwe According to the Mandate given to South Africa as Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation

QUESTION: 110

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO N1768E OF 31 AUGUST 2005

MR WJ SEREMANE (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER:

Whether, in light of the mandate given to South Africa as Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation at the SADC Heads of States and Government Summit in Mauritius in 2004 to co-ordinate all activities of the Organ with the view to enhance good governance, democracy, stability and socio-economic development of Southern African region, any steps have been taken to address the governance crisis in Zimbabwe; if not, why not, if so, what steps?

REPLY

1. The role of South Africa as the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation in assisting the Government of Zimbabwe to deal with its internal challenges cannot be isolated from the overall SADC efforts to strengthen democracy in the region.

2. President Mbeki's leadership of the Organ was therefore exercised within the framework of the Protocol on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation and the SADC Organ Troika. Whatever steps taken during South Africa's tenure as Chair of the Organ to assist Zimbabwe, must be understood within the broader context of the collective leadership of SADC.

3. South Africa as the Chair of the Organ, co-ordinated the SADC Election Observer Mission to Zimbabwe to ensure adherence to the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.