Thabo's man blasts Straw

2005-06-23 14:09

Pretoria - A government spokesperson expressed irritation on Thursday at a so-called bogeyman approach being used to scare African countries, like children, into conforming with the West.

"I am really irritated by this 'kgokgo' approach," presidential spokesperson Bheki Khumalo said when approached for comment on a call by British foreign secretary Jack Straw for African action against Zimbabwe.

He said "kgokgo" was a Sesotho word meaning something akin to a bogeyman being used to scare children into being obedient.

"South Africa refuses to accept the notion that because suddenly we're going to a G8 summit (of the world's developed nations) we must be reminded that we must look good and appease the G8 leaders.

"We will do things because we believe they are correct and right."

Straw on Wednesday urged African leaders to confront Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe about his government's human rights violations.

The Associated Press quoted Straw as saying Britain had done much to put Zimbabwe's human rights record on the global agenda, but had run into a lack of interest in Africa to do anything about it.

"Unless, and until, Africa's leaders as a whole recognise what is going on, (and) take action not just to condemn it but to deal with it, we are likely to be in for many more months of this kind of tyranny until President Mugabe moves aside," he reportedly said.

Urban 'clean-up' campaign

Straw was referring to a campaign by the Zimbabwean government to clear homes, businesses and gardens of the poor from cities as part of an urban "clean-up" campaign.

Since May 19, the Zimbabwean government has undertaken a campaign of forced evictions throughout the country under its "Operation Murambatsvina" - Drive out Trash.

Human rights groups believe that more than 300 000 people have been affected.

Straw referred to "a lack of real commitment by all of Africa's leaders to recognise the scale of the horror that is taking place in Zimbabwe". He did not say what action should be taken.

Khumalo said he was "sick and tired of the ghost of the G8 being invoked", and with a view that Africa should please the G8 ahead of its upcoming sumit.

"As South Africa, we will protect our sovereignty."

He declined to be drawn on the latest events in Zimbabwe.

South Africa's foreign affairs department would not comment on Straw's statements.

- SAPA