SA based activists call for focus on plight of Zimbabweans

AS ZIMBABWEAN President Robert Mugabe landed in Pretoria on his first state visit to SA since 1994, activists and Zimbabwean exiles called for a focus on the issues facing the country and its citizens living in SA, the Business Day reported.

"It is very sad that a current head of Sadc and the AU has to come to another country with a begging bowl when Zimbabwe is endowed with so many resources, human and mineral," said the chairman of the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum, Gabriel Shumba.

"We hope the president of SA will confront president Mugabe about what needs to be done to stabilise both the economy and the politics of the land. What's needed is transparency, accountability and tolerance of diversity."

Director of People Against Suffering, Oppression and Poverty (Passop) Braam Hanekom said he was hoping the discussions would focus on assisting the large Zimbabwean immigrant community in SA, as well as those in Zimbabwe.

Political analyst and human rights activist Elinor Sisulu said the disappearance of Itai Dzamara should be raised, and that both presidents needed to look into the rights of citizens within the AU.

The purpose of Mr Mugabe's visit remains unclear‚ with the Department of International Relations and Co-operation saying only that  it was for the signing of a memorandum of understanding. A statement from the department said "the objective is to consult on issues of mutual interest‚ paying particular focus to bilateral and economic co-operation‚ including regional and continental matters".

On Wednesday, Mr Mugabe and his entourage are due to meet President Jacob Zuma at the Union Buildings to sign the memorandum of understanding. Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa will then pay Mr Mugabe a courtesy call at the Sheraton hotel in Arcadia.