South African Government statement regarding Situation in Zimbabwe 

Pretoria – The South African government has noted that the United States of America Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has raised, bilaterally, with the Zimbabwean authorities the plight of USA diplomats in the country.

The South African government therefore expresses its hope that the matter will be resolved as speedily as possible at a bilateral level.

The South African government is currently seized with the matter of the facilitation between the relevant parties in Zimbabwe to ensure that the Presidential run-off elections scheduled for later in the month takes place under optimal conditions that will enable the will of the Zimbabwean people to be expressed.

President Mbeki has, in line with SADC decisions, earlier in the week, “urged the government of Zimbabwe to do everything possible to ensure that every party involved in the forthcoming presidential runoff does so in conditions that are free and fair.”

Accordingly, the South African government calls on all parties to desist from any action that may serve to detract from the objective of having free and fair run-off Presidential elections.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

6 June 2008