Mbeki calls for restraint in Zimbabwe
Bathandwa Mbola
6 June 2008
President Thabo Mbeki has urged the government and people of Zimbabwe to ensure that the country's forthcoming presidential run-off election is free and fair.
In a statement from the Presidency on Thursday, Mbeki urged all parties to activate joint monitoring mechanisms as part of creating an environment conducive to holding free and fair elections.
The election run-off date is set for 27 June. The initial presidential balloting was inconclusive and marred by allegations of fraud and vote-rigging.
"President Mbeki appeals for calmness and proportionate use of language, the better to manage tensions which are generally associated with election campaigns in many parts of the world," the Presidency said.
The statement follows Wednesday's detention of Zimbabwean opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who was later released without being charged.
The Zimbabwean police said they detained Tsvangirai to probe his vehicle particulars.
According to the Presidency, on being informed of Tsvangirai's arrest, Mbeki, in his capacity as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) facilitator, immediately contacted the government of Zimbabwe to ascertain the circumstances of the arrest.
Mbeki has been mandated by the SADC to facilitate talks between the opposition leader and current President Robert Mugabe.
Meanwhile, a preliminary group of South African observers will travel to Zimbabwe this week ahead of the elections. According to the Presidency, the number of observers in Zimbabwe has increased substantially, and by 27 June a team of South African Development Community (SADC) observers would also be in place.
Source: BuaNews
