LAST UPDATED: 2013-05-24, 12:29

AU: memories of hope 50 years ago

The AU is celebrating 50 years of existence this year. Set up in 1963 in the Ethiopian capital, the body had 32 initial signatory governments, with 21 more nations joining over the years.

Cape Town

Friday 15-21°C

Sunny. Mild.

7 day forecast

Saturday	15-21°c	Light rain late. Afternoon clouds. Mild.
Sunday	15-17°c	Heavy rain. Mostly cloudy. Mild.
Monday	14-19°c	a few showers. Morning clouds. Mild.
Tuesday	13-20°c	More sun than clouds. Mild.
Wednesday	14-18°c	Showers late. More clouds than sun. Mild.
Thursday	15-19°c	Showers early. More sun than clouds. Mild.

More weather from Weather24 >

Brought to
you by:

Zimbabwe AG sets up WikiLeaks probe panel

2011-01-18 08:55

Special Report

Chinese call for stability in Zimbabwe

Chinese vice premier Wang Yang has urged Zimbabwe to ensure peace and political stability ahead of elections this year.

Harare - A legal team set up by Zimbabwe's attorney general on Monday started investigating the role of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and others in their discussions with US diplomats, which were leaked by self-proclaimed whistle blower website WikiLeaks.

"Quite clearly ... WikiLeaks appears to be generally accepted as an authentic source of information. If they (Tsvangirai and his party leadership) have (committed an offence), I have an obligation to prosecute," Attorney General Johannes Tomana said in an interview.

"I have asked (for) legal opinion from experts to see if I can proceed," he said, adding that the team of six lawyers was expected to give its recommendations by end-March.

WikiLeaks on November 28 began publishing a cache of secret diplomatic cables dispatched from US embassies worldwide to the State Department in Washington.

The documents on Zimbabwe quoted several Zimbabweans in secret conversations with US embassy officials, and the legal team will probe whether or not there was a conspiracy to undermine national security or commit treason.

According to WikiLeaks, the cables indicated that Tsvangirai and other leaders in his party suggested that Washington should contribute to a fund to buy off security service chiefs in order to bring about a regime change in Zimbabwe.

Political gimmick

The cables also exposed Washington's doubts about Tsvangirai's leadership.

While the man who had led democratic opposition to President Robert Mugabe was "the indispensable element for opposition success" he risked becoming "possibly an albatross around their necks once in power," the then US ambassador to Zimbabwe wrote in 2007.

Tomana said he was not worried that probing Tsvangirai would create more tensions in Zimbabwe's fragile coalition government.

"We are not supposed to be protecting any criminal. It does not matter what station of life they occupy in life. Nobody has an obligation to protect them," said Tomana.

Nelson Chamisa, Tsvangirai's party spokesperson said: "You cannot have (a) commission of inquiry based on gossip and hearsay. WikiLeaks is not in any way a credible source of information."

He added that this was merely "a political gimmick and we are going to resist it. We are not going to be part of that charade."

- SAPA

NEXT ON NEWS24X

DRC has chance for peace - Ban

2013-05-23 22:17

Inside News24

Pics: Vuyo Mbuli memorial

A massive crowd of mourners say goodbye to TV icon Vuyo Mbuli.
Restaurant specials

R9.99 bottle of wine, 2 for 1 burger and more...
How animals give birth

Warning: Shocking GIFs. Not intended for sensitive viewers.
Hidden wealth

Is there hidden wealth in your debt? An expert believes so.
Snoop Lion live in CT

Snoop Lion lights it up onstage in Cape Town.
Conned into being a mule

WARNING: Graphic content. Pregnant and sentenced to death.
Underrated dorpies

These seven local towns are pretty great, but often forgotten.
1-week diabetic menu

Diabetic yourself, or have one in the family? Check out this menu.

Settings

Location Settings

News24 allows you to edit the display of certain components based on a location. If you wish to personalise the page based on your preferences, please select a location for each component and click "Submit" in order for the changes to take affect.

Friday 15-21°C

Zimbabwe AG sets up WikiLeaks probe panel

Special Report

Other Stories in Zimbabwe...

Inside News24

Welcome to News24

News in your area

Latest comment in Africa

Travel - Look, Book, Go!

Kalahari.com - shop online today

Sponsored links

I'm shopping for:

services

Hello

Create Profile

Please provide a username for your profile page:

Hello

Choose a display name:

Edit your avatar:

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Saving your profile

Settings

Saving your settings

Facebook Sign-In