A recent visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe’s Precabe farm in Kwekwe has sparked a heated backlash from Government of National Unity (GNU) Member, the Democratic Alliance. Mnangagwa nicknamed “the Crocodile” succeeded his long-time commander-in-chief Robert Mugabe in 2018. Mugabe is possibly best remembered for having ruled with an iron fist.
Mugabe also had an enduring personal relationship/friendship with former South African President Thabo Mbeki. Following his removal from power Mugabe passed away in 2019 of natural causes, leaving a divisive legacy.
“The DA condemns, in the strongest possible terms, Ramaphosa’s unofficial visit to Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mnangagwa’s private residence on Sunday,” said (DA Spokesman Ryan) Smith. “This visit takes place as the ruling Zanu PF attempts to entrench its dictatorship in Zimbabwean law through the recently gazetted Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3, which would introduce far-reaching proposals to usher in extended and potentially limitless presidential terms for the Zanu PF under the guise of technical reforms to electoral cycles and governance structures. “While the Presidency has tried to spin this visit as an “in-person catch-up between two neighbours”, it is blatantly clear that once again South African foreign policy under the ANC continues to sideline our constitutional values of freedom, democracy, and human rights in favour of propping up the African fraternity of despots and dictators the ANC relies on for regional support.
Ramaphosa must take a sterner position on Mnangagwa’s regime, but this is simpler said than done. “The crocodile” rules with an authoritarian streak, and Ramaphosa seems to have no interest in seeing the status quo of Zanu-PF rule change. The opposition led by Nelson Chamisa faced brutal repression for even the slightest objection to the regime. The African National Congress (ANC) has always remained selective in its criticism of those who commit human rights abuses. The fact that Zimbabwe has long been dominated by the same political party and prior to Mnangagwa’s ascension, the same leader, which created mismanagement of the economy and abuse of power, shows there is need for fundamental changes to the country’s constitutional and political set up. Yes, South Africa is facing a refugee crisis due to Zimbabwe’s mismanagement. Pretoria must recognise this.
Ramaphosa did raise his concerns about the removal of term limits No.3 Constitutional Amendment Bill three and risk in the growth of authoritarianism it will lead to for Zimbabwe.
(Former ally Rutendo) Matinyarare, claimed there was no way Ramaphosa could have come for a weekend off in Harare considering the immigrants’ crisis he is facing at home due to Zimbabwe’s poor governance. “Ramaphosa, the leader of the most powerful nation in Africa and a member of the G20, would not make an unscheduled emergency trip to a small country like Zimbabwe, which only imports 2.3% of South Africa’s exports but discharges thousands of refugees that are costing the ANC power, to come and support an illegal Constitutional Amendment Bill No.3 (CAB3) to extend the President’s term in office,” said Matinyarare.
The ANC cannot play the fiddle/lyre till Zimbabwe erupts in a mass uprising while Zanu PF remains the ruling party. The same has to be said of any government that will lead South Africa in relations with Zimbabwe. The Status quo cannot continue. Mnangagwa is as calculating and vicious as a crocodile. The reality is that if Pretoria wants South Africa to be a leading nation in southern Africa, it should take a harsher stance on authoritarian neighbours. There must be room for change from the policies of the old liberation organizations to new parties. The old Lazes fare (let it be) practices cannot continue.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
