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I have often written about the apathy that other Africa countries have towards Mugabe and his totalitarian rule. I have often commented that regional leaders are reluctant to publicly criticize Mugabe for his unilateral rule and the violence and intimidation in Zimbabwe.
I often say that SADC and the AU are treated with absolute disdain by Mugabe and that international bodies have the rather irritating habit of inviting Mugabe to their various congresses, summits and conferences and then give him the floor so that he can shout and scream, rant and rave at the West, who he says, are responsible for the collapse of the economy and the plight of all Zimbabweans.
This morning I can add to that list.
"The South African government has been accused of funding "rogue states", including donations to President Robert Mugabe at a time the Zimbabwean strongman was waging a war against his political opponents.
A report presented to the South African Parliament by the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) last week showed that Pretoria gave a total of R600 million (about US$82.7 million) to the Zimbabwean government under the auspices of its African Renaissance Fund (ARF) in the course of the last three years.
According to the report presented by NEPAD's international relations and co-operation director Harvey, only half of the money dolled out to Mugabe was given after the formation of Harare's coalition government. The rest was given between 2007 and 2008 at a time when Mugabe's ZANU PF party was waging a war of attrition against the opposition.
South Africa's opposition Democratic Reliance said last week it was 'dismayed' by the government's actions, particularly given that there was no evidence that Pretoria did not follow up on the use of the funds."
Why is it, that whenever Mugabe and his action comes up for discussion or criticism, that somehow the name of South Africa comes up as well? That country seems to cocoon Mugabe from any true examination - and are seemingly happy to give millions of dollars to Mugabe to use as he wishes!
The fact that South Africa has not followed up as to how the money was used speaks volumes to me. Any self-respecting country that hands over millions of dollars to another country should be very interested in how the money was spent. especially if the benefiting country is run by one Robert Gabriel Mugabe.
"Parliament has seen no evidence that any of this money was spent on those programmes to which it had been designated," said DA's shadow foreign minister Kenneth Mubu.
The purpose of the fund and its stated guiding principles were described to include the promotion of democracy and good governance, socio-economic development and integration, and the prevention and resolution of conflict. The report raises fears that South Africa may have bankrolled the activities of ZANU PF militias who were behind a violent campaign that left more than 500 opposition supporters dead during disputed June 2008 presidential elections."
And the South African government were among regional African countries that deemed the 2008 elections as 'free and fair'...
I find it quite unacceptable therefore, that it falls to the South African President - both the current incumbent and his predecessor – to be the SADC appointed mediator in the cross-party talks in Zimbabwe. How can an interested party be a mediator if their interests are decidedly with one of those that negotiate?
Robb WJ Ellis
The Bearded Man
