'SA not ignoring Moz's plight'
2007-02-22 19:44
Johannesburg - South Africa (SA) has denied claims that it was "turning a blind eye" to the plight of Mozambicans hit by floods and cyclone damage.
"SA has been monitoring the situation in Mozambique," said foreign affairs Ronnie Mamoepa on Thursday.
"We share in the pain and suffering of its people and we stand ready to assist in whatever manner we can within our limited resources."
The Democratic Alliance's Africa spokesperson, Joe Seremane, earlier said South Africa (SA) should talk to Mozambique on what help it could offer instead of "standing back and waiting".
"The South African government is largely turning a blind eye to the catastrophic consequences of widespread flooding in Mozambique," said Seremane.
Mamoepa said the government had not received any request for assistance from Mozambican authorities.
"As soon as such a request is made, SA will not hesitate to assist."
When asked if SA could not take the initiative, Mamoepa said: "You don't do that. You have to be requested."
Seremane said: "During the last major floods in Mozambique in 2001, South African assistance made an enormous difference to the relief effort and saved many lives.
"This year, however, the government appears to have limited its involvement to the donation of some spare equipment."
More than 80 000 Mozambicans living along the banks of the Zambezi River have reportedly been left homeless, and about 30 people have been killed since the start of the year as a result of incessant downpours.
- SAPA