South African President Jacob Zuma today chastised his advisor Lindiwe Zulu on her comments about Zimbabwe saying he was the only one authorised to speak on Zimbabwe on behalf of the Southern African Development Community.
Zuma’s spokesman Mac Maharaj said: “The Presidency has noted with great concern, recent unfortunate statements made on the situation in Zimbabwe.”
Zulu was quoted as saying things were not right in Zimbabwe. “If things didn’t go right in the special vote, those things need to be looked into by the time of elections on July 31,” she said.
Maharaj said the technical team, which includes Zulu, supported Zuma in his role as facilitator and could not impose its views on Zimbabwe, nor make public pronouncements.
“Only President Zuma has the mandate to speak on Zimbabwe on behalf of SADC on facilitation issues,” Maharaj said.
President Robert Mugabe and his team have insisted that Zulu should shut up because she is not the official spokesperson for SADC. Zuma, in his personal capacity, is.
“A number of statements have been made during the facilitation process which have been unauthorised and which are regrettable and unfortunate. Some of the utterances have also been inaccurate,” Maharaj said.
He said reports saying Zuma had telephoned Mugabe to express his unhappiness about election preparations were incorrect.
“No such telephone call has been made,” he said.
“South Africa remains fully committed to the warm historical relations with the Republic of Zimbabwe and wishes the people of Zimbabwe well as they prepare for the elections,” Maharaj said.
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