DA urges ANC government to speak up on Zimbabwe unrest

The Democratic Alliance has called on President Jacob Zuma and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Maite Nkoane-Mashabane‚ to break their silence and condemn the atrocities currently being carried out in Zimbabwe.

DA spokesperson on international relations and cooperation Stevens Mokgalapa said on Wednesday the ANC government's silence on the civil unrest ensuing in Zimbabwe could not be ignored.

"President Jacob Zuma and his DIRCO Minister cannot remain silent if we are to do our part to mitigate the escalating unrest in our neighbouring country. The 'quiet diplomacy' of the past cannot be allowed to repeat itself and‚ as history has shown‚ has the potential to allow for human rights violations to persist‚" Mokgalapa stated.

He added that the situation in Zimbabwe appeared to be the result of a shortage of resources - food and cash - as well as dissatisfaction with the administration of President Robert Mugabe.

"We call on President Zuma - as a leader in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region - and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation‚ Maite Nkoane-Mashabane‚ to break their silence and condemn the atrocities currently being carried out in Zimbabwe.

"President Zuma must give effect to South Africa's human rights-based foreign policy to ensure that no more human rights abuses occur on our watch. Our government's silence in this regard will make us complicit in the escalation of the use of force against civilians‚" Mokgalapa said.