Zuma has enough problems of his own to solve those of Zimbabwe says UK peer

South African President Jacob Zuma, who is currently in Zimbabwe to discuss bilateral relations, has so many of his own problems at home that he is reluctant to intervene in the Zimbabwe crisis, a British peer said in the House of Lords yesterday.

Lord Anderson of Swansea asked Baroness in Waiting Baroness Goldie whether the British government agreed that the policies of “that aged, sick and corrupt ruler in Zimbabwe” had impoverished what was once the breadbasket of the region.

“Is it not clear that, unlike President Mbeki, President Zuma has so many of his own problems at home that he is reluctant to intervene, in spite of the fact that region is being tarnished by the policies of President Mugabe?” he asked.

Baroness Goldie evaded the question responding that the UK and South Africa worked closely together. It was important for the UK to maintain diplomatic dialogue with Zimbabwe.

“As the noble Lord will no doubt be aware, the United Kingdom Government have been instrumental in making important resource available to Zimbabwe by making payments not to the Zimbabwean government but through the medium of non-governmental organisations and our implementing partners,” she said.

Q & A

Lord Anderson of Swansea (Lab)– Does the Minister agree that the policies of that aged, sick and corrupt ruler in Zimbabwe have impoverished what was once the bread basket of the region? Is it not clear that, unlike President Mbeki, President Zuma has so many of his own problems at home that he is reluctant to intervene, in spite of the fact that region is being tarnished by the policies of President Mugabe?

Baroness Goldie – South Africa and the United Kingdom have enjoyed regular exchanges and have co-operated on a range of issues. That includes within the South African development community as well as outside, such as with Burundi and Sudan. Increasingly, we have exchanged assessments of Zimbabwe. It is important that the United Kingdom endeavours to maintain diplomatic dialogue, not just with the other African countries but with Zimbabwe itself. As the noble Lord will no doubt be aware, the United Kingdom Government have been instrumental in making important resource available to Zimbabwe by making payments not to the Zimbabwean Government but through the medium of non-governmental organisations and our implementing partners.

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