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'Must we send the army to Zim?'
23/04/2008 17:46 - (SA)
London - ANC president Jacob Zuma, who is on a tour of Europe with an ANC delegation, has insisted that South Africa is taking action on Zimbabwe's post-election impasse.
"We are doing something more than anyone else," Zuma said. "What else must we do? We must send the army? We do more than other countries do."
He also said the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission - and not Robert Mugabe - is to blame for the delay in releasing election results.
"I am not certain whether I should stand there and really condemn people and make myself a judge," Zuma told BBC radio, referring to Mugabe.
He also rejected claims that SA President Thabo Mbeki has failed to adequately press Mugabe on the issues.
"Mbeki is a mediator," Zuma said. "You cannot have a mediator who takes sides, who stands and criticises people he is trying to mediate."
Arms embargo
Zuma met British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for talks on Wednesday. Brown said Britain will propose an arms embargo on Zimbabwe as it seeks to stiffen international resolve over the country's failure to publish presidential election results.
Last week, South African dock workers refused to unload a Chinese ship carrying arms bound for Zimbabwe because of worries that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe plans to use them against political opponents.
"Because of what has happened in South Africa, where there is an arms shipment trying to get to Zimbabwe, we will promote proposals for an embargo on all arms to Zimbabwe," Brown said during his weekly questions session at Parliament.
Arms embargo
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, leader of South Africa's Anglican Church, has called for an arms embargo against Zimbabwe.
"On the basis that a heavily armed Zimbabwe would threaten peace, security and stability in southern Africa, we call upon the Security Council of the United Nations to impose an arms embargo on its government. We appeal to the South African Government to support such an embargo," Makgoba said on Wednesday, according to a statement posted on the church's website.
South Africa's leaders have been criticised for not strongly condemning Mugabe over delays in publication of the March 29 presidential vote results.
Brown is a fierce critic of Mugabe and has urged African leaders to withdraw recognition of his regime.
'Unacceptable'
"A message should be sent from the whole of the UK that what is happening in Zimbabwe - failing to announce an election result, trying to rig an election result - is completely unacceptable," Brown told lawmakers.
Legislative election results that gave the opposition a majority in Zimbabwe's parliament for the first time also are in limbo, with a partial recount under way.
Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change claims post-election violence has displaced 3 000 people, injured 500 and left 10 dead.
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