SADC observers to Zim soon

2005-03-01 13:27

Pretoria - The Southern African Development Community (SADC) hoped to speedily set up a team to observe Zimbabwe's March 31 elections, deputy foreign minister, Aziz Pahad, said on Tuesday.

South Africa, as chair of SADC's organ on politics, defence and security, has sent letters to member countries asking for nominations for the observer mission.

The team would not be limited to observing the actual elections, but would also be tasked with ensuring that conditions were conducive for a free and fair poll, Pahad told reporters in Pretoria.

The team's departure date would "depend on the capacity of the (SADC) secretariat to get the delegation ready". Available resources would determine the number of members on the team.

As to South Africa's own participation, Pahad said the country has been invited to observe the Zimbabwean poll in at least five different capacities.

It has been invited as a member of SADC, as chair of the organ on politics, defence and security, and as a neighbouring country. The ruling African National Congress has also been asked to send an observer team, while parliament has set up a multi-party delegation.

The cabinet was expected to discuss on Wednesday how the country would approach the matter and how many teams to send.

"We hope to get them there as soon as possible," Pahad said.

He added that the Zimbabwean government has not objected to any of the SADC observer team's mandates, and it was expected to be allowed to deal with complaints from all political camps.

- SAPA