By Tererai Karimakwenda
09 June 2006
It has been reported that South Africa’s Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils has been in Zimbabwe on a mission to meet State Security Minister Didymus Mutasa in a new attempt to find a solution to Zimbabwe’s political and economic crisis. The reports said Kasrils flew into Harare on a private jet Thursday accompanied by South Africa’s National Intelligence Agency chief Manala Manzini and South African Secret Service chief Dennis Hilton. This delegation was expected to conduct talks aimed at arranging a summit between their President Thabo Mbeki and Robert Mugabe. Mbeki has seen increased pressure recently to abandon his so-called “quiet diplomacy” on Zimbabwe and start acting to resolve the crisis next door. Mugabe himself is also under much pressure due to a fast deteriorating economy and massive shortages of basic commodities. Recent critical reports by Amnesty International and the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think tank, have also added to pressure. The ICG report described Mugabe as being “increasingly desperate and dangerous.” But it is Mbeki however, who is reported to have initiated this new round of diplomatic talks.
As usual information has been difficult to come by. South African government spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe said he had no information and referred us to the foreign ministry. Ronnie Mamuepa, the Foreign Affairs spokesman, said he could neither confirm nor deny reports of Kasril’s mission. But journalist Angus Shaw who is on the ground in Zimbabwe said there is talk among the diplomatic community, particularly the Eueopean Union and the British, which suggests that Kasrils did indeed meet Mutasa and that he left Zimbabwe Friday morning. Shaw said this is possible because there is pressure on Mugabe from young reformists within the ruling party to accept some conditions being offered by Mbeki and British prime minister Tony Blair. They are said to be offering an aid package that would require economic and political reforms and a possible timetable for Mugabe’s departure. Shaw said this is the “Carrot and Stick” approach.
Mbeki recently visited British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London and told reporters it would be wise to wait for the outcome of efforts by the UN secretary general Kofi Annan before acting on Zimbabwe. But the UN chief did not confirm any such efforts and officials at the UN denied any knowledge of a planned visit to Zimbabwe.