By Tererai Karimakwenda
06 July 2005

South African President Thabo Mbeki has been under pressure from the international community to condemn Zimbabwe's "Operation Murambatsvina", but now the pressure has intensified at home. The opposition Democratic Alliance has demanded that Mbeki condemn Mugabe's destruction of homes and businesses in the strongest possible terms, to ensure Africa's credibility at the G8 Summit at Gleneagles in Scotland this week.

The DA believe that President Mbeki needs to break his silence on Zimbabwe if he wants African demands for increased aid and investment to be taken seriously at the G8 summit. Speaking out would show that African leaders are serious about the peer review mechanisms enshrined in the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) which Mbeki is championing.

But Mbeki has insisted on reserving any comments on Zimbabwe until the UN special envoy Anna Tibaijuka issues her mission's report on the situation. Since Tibaijuka has extended her mission by another week, the DA said the people of Zimbabwe cannot afford to wait and Mbeki risks losing the G8 opportunity by delaying.

DA foreign affairs spokesman Douglas Gibson said Mbeki does not need the UN envoy's report in order to comment on Zimbabwe. He believes Mbeki worked really hard over the last few years to gain respect and influence on the continent and with the G8 leaders. But he is now shooting himself in the foot. Gibson said Mbeki has a blind spot when it comes to two issues, AIDs and Zimbabwe. Unfortunately Africa's position will be affected by what Mbeki does with his neighbour.