Thapelo Sakoana
14 March 2007
South Africa has expressed concern at the detention of opposition political leaders in Zimbabwe and the deteriorating political and economic situation in the country.
Leader of the opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai, other opposition leaders and supporters were arrested after Zimbabwe riot police allegedly broke up a peaceful, church-sponsored prayer meeting on Sunday.
It has been reported that one person died and another was injured, while many others were detained.
Speaking to journalists in Pretoria on Tuesday, Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad urged the Zimbabwean government to respect the rule of law, including the rights of all citizens and leaders of different political parties.
"Similarly, we appeal to leaders of opposition political parties to work towards a climate that is conducive to finding a lasting solution to the current challenges faced by the people of Zimbabwe."
Pahad said South Africa maintained that only dialogue among the main political leaders could bring a lasting solution to the challenges facing Zimbabwe.
South Africa, Pahad said, would continue to monitor the situation closely "and work with all parties in Zimbabwe in the political, economic, trade and social sectors to ensure the objective of dialogue among all political parties is realized."
President Thabo Mbeki remarked in an interview with the BBC last year that the critical matter was to help Zimbabweans to get together to solve their problems. He said at the time that South Africa had spoken with the Zimbabwean government to engage the opposition party, religious leaders and the general community.
International outcry
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has slammed the reported beating of opposition leaders and urged President Robert Mugabe's government to release the detainees.
Ban's spokesperson, Michelle Montas, said in a statement that such actions violated the basic democratic right of citizens to engage in peaceful assembly.
"The Secretary-General urges the government of Zimbabwe to release the detainees and to guarantee their safety," Montas said. "He calls on the authorities to allow peaceful assembly and to provide a space for the exercise of legitimate political rights."
The presidency of the European Union also joined in the condemnation of the violent break-up of the meeting, and extended its condolences to the family of the deceased person.
"The presidency has noted with concern that a peaceful rally of which prior notification had been given was criminalised by the government," the body said in a statement. "It urges the release of the persons arrested. It expects them to be given access to legal assistance and any medical care they may require."
The EU also emphasised the responsibility of the Zimbabwean government to ensure that those arrested were safe and remained unharmed.
Source: BuaNews
