Status on the Situation in the South African Mission in Zimbabwe

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 1247

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 24 OF 15 AUGUST 2005

Mr W J Seremane (DA) to ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs:

In light of the statement by his Deputy Minister that the SA mission in Zimbabwe is unable to do its job, (a) how was this situation allowed to develop when the situation in Zimbabwe has been escalating for over five years, (b) who is responsible for the SA mission in Zimbabwe and (c) what (i) is the brief of the mission and (ii) is being done to rectify this situation? N1613E

REPLY:

(a) The Deputy Minister has been misquoted. He did not say that "the mission is unable to do its job," as quoted in the question. Instead, he said that at the time the question was asked, events were still unfolding. The Deputy Minister indicated at that stage that Government was still trying to get a full appreciation of the events.

(b) The head of mission of the South African Embassy, who reports to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

(c)(i) The brief of SA missions generally is to promote and protect the interests of South Africa and also to strengthen relations between countries. (ii) The Department of Foreign Affairs, continues on an ongoing basis to improve the overall effectiveness of our Missions given the increasing challenges on South Africa.