Sadc threw away Gracia Machel, Tutu and Annan request to discuss Zimbabwe

Foreign Affairs Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi says that some 3 individuals Gracia Machel, Desmond Tutu and Kofi Annan calling themselves elders had written to one head of state calling for the inclusion of Zimbabwe on the SADC agenda but that was thrown out as the other leaders had not received the letter and saw no reason why Zimbabwe should be on the agenda.

Minister Mumbengegwi was speaking to ZBC News Diplomatic Correspondent Judith Makwanya soon after landing at Harare International Airport Thursday evening.

The comments come in the wake of violent demonstrations that left properties damaged and loss of goods by businesses in Harare Central Business District.

The violence was aimed at attracting the attention of SADC heads of state and government attending the 36th summit in Ezulwini Swaziland this week.

Minister Mumbengegwi said the opposition political parties have no right to dictate issues that should be on its summit agenda and their attempts to influence discussions at the just ended summit were dismissed by heads of state with all the contempt they deserve.

Minister Mumbengegwi said the 3 individuals have no business with interfering with SADC business, and their suggestions should be dismissed with the contempt it deserves.

Meanwhile, Mumbengegwi says the just ended 36th SADC Summit was highly successful with the approval of a budget in which contributions by member states of SADC should be 60 percent and the cooperating partners are now putting 40percent, a big improvement in accordance with the position that SADC has taken in line with the AU which has said regional organisations should be able to finance 100 percent of their budget in the next years.

The summit continued to focus on the theme of industrialisation which is the brainchild of the President Robert Mugabe. The programme will ensure that SADC countries have goods to trade in as they move forward with their integration programme.