UK TV News channel exposes co-operation between Mbeki and Mugabe

By Tererai Karimakwenda
16 April, 2008

A report broadcast on Channel 4 News in the UK on Tuesday night has helped to shed some light on South African President Thabo Mbeki’s denial of the crisis in Zimbabwe. Reporter Jonathan Miller interviewed a disgruntled former Zimbabwean civil servant now in South Africa, who produced documents that showed how close Mbeki’s relationship has been with Robert Mugabe. The documents also expose how the South African government has cooperated with ZANU-PF on political, security and intelligence issues.

The documents revealed that Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organisation have agents in South Africa maintaining close surveillance of opposition officials and supporters.
One document was a Zimbabwean government report of a meeting that took place between Mbeki and a Zanu PF delegation. It concluded; "It was clear that Mbeki was frustrated at what he sees as lack of progress in launching formal negotiations between Zanu PF and MDC. According to him the political process should be finished, and once this is done, the US and the UK would commit the promised resources, which in turn would lead to an economic recovery and the demise of the MDC."

Mondli Makhanya, editor in chief of the Sunday Times newspaper in South Africa, said South Africa has always played a key role in upholding the Zimbabwe government. Makhanya dismissed Mbeki’s policy of ‘quiet diplomacy’ saying Mbeki is active in assisting Mugabe and the Zimbabwean government in many forums around the world.

He recounted how Mbeki legitimised elections in Zimbabwe in 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2008 even though all other observers concluded those elections were not free and fair.. Mbeki also protected Mugabe at the Commonwealth, leading to his fall out with former Nigerian President Obasanjo.

According to Makhanya, Zimbabwean refugees and political activists speak openly of the existence of “CIOs” in South Africa who monitor their movements. He believes this is why many are afraid to get involved in political matters.