Steps to be taken by the Department of Foreign Affairs to Protect South Africa - owned Property in Zimbabwe, as Zimbabwe will disregard any Bilateral Agreements Protecting Foreign Land Ownership

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR ORAL REPLY

QUESTION NO: 146

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 37 OF 1 NOVEMBER 2005

MR DHM GIBSON (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

(1) Whether she has taken note of the comments by Zimbabwe's State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa that Zimbabwe will disregard any bilateral agreements protecting foreign land ownership; if not, why not; if so, what steps will she taken to protect South Africa - owned property in Zimbabwe;

(2) whether these comments undermine the proposed signing of the Bilateral Agreement (BIPPA) with Zimbabwe, if not, why not; if so what are the relevant details;

(3) whether she will make a statement on the matter?
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REPLY:

(1), The Minister has taken note of the comments by Zimbabwe's Minister of State Security Didymus Mutasa. The Minister will continue to assist the Department of Trade and Industry in its efforts in trying to secure suitable dates with the relevant Zimbabwean Minister for the signing of the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (BIPPA).

(2) No, these comments do not undermine the signing of the BIPPA with Zimbabwe because the agreement between both countries has been concluded and is awaiting signature once a suitable date is identified. Furthermore, the relevant Zimbabwean Minister has previously proposed dates for the signing of the BIPPA although he was unable to honour these dates.

(3) No.