Mugabe thanks SA for giving Zimbabweans work

President Robert Mugabe thanked South Africa for "taking care" of Zimbabweans who live and work in the country and called for support for President Jacob Zuma.

"You know that we owe you not just a gesture of thankfulness, which we must express, but we owe you that thankfulness for the tolerance there has been on the part of the government here, as our people have really offended your system by jumping the border and disturbing even the social system here," he said at a media briefing with Zuma, while on a state visit.

"Where they have come as workers, well and good - we say thank you for providing them with that work."

Relations between the two countries must be strengthened, he said.