South Africa has run out of
excuses not to help Mugabe’s people, says
a s h smyth |
|
Mugabe imports Angolan soldiers to pacify his own people. He bans opposition demonstrators from state hospitals. He declares his intention to remain in office indefinitely.
One might, by now, have expected to see South Africa call time on its strategy of 'quiet diplomacy'. But only yesterday Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad upheld the ANC's softly-softly approach as the only way to bring 'Comrade Bob' to the negotiating table. Great; but where's the evidence that Mugabe wants to negotiate?
South Africa's pussy-footing has to stop.
Their refusal to openly condemn Mugabe's regime is part misguided affinity for his party's 'struggle' credentials, and part refusal to accept external advice (witness their disgraceful Aids policies). In their stubborn 'anti-colonial' pride the ANC are failing their African neighbours and their once-impressive
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Cut off Zimbabwe in every sense: only Mugabe’s stooges will be hurt |
|
|
record for knowing right from wrong.
Even some of the Zimbabwean opposition buy into this affirmative racism: "The only ones who have the moral authority to speak out on Zimbabwe are Africans," said Arthur Mutambara, leader of one MDC faction. The ingratitude is breath-taking, but it leaves the door open for Pretoria to act.
"It's useless for the Australian prime minister to call on us to do more without telling us what they want us to do," bluffs Pahad. Fine. Here's what to do. Cut off Zimbabwe, not just politically, but in every sense: imports, power supply, flights, the lot. Zimbabwe is reliant on South Africa for everything, and since ordinary Zimbabweans have nothing left to lose, the only people who will be hurt are Mugabe's stooges.
This is a workable option which will bring the regime to its knees in a matter of weeks. Even better, it has precedent. It's how those bad old boys of apartheid destabilised Ian Smith, and paved the way for democracy in Zimbabwe in the first place. 
FIRST POSTED MARCH 24, 2007
|
