Mbeki's brother warns on Zimbabwe
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SA's political elite is an obstacle in the quest to save Zimbabwe from collapsing, political analyst Moeletsi Mbeki says.
"Only poor people will be affected by Zimbabwe's collapse," he said in an Africa Dialogue lecture in Pretoria.
Mbeki criticised the approach of his brother, President Thabo Mbeki, of quiet diplomacy: "It's a do-nothing scenario. However, you appear to be doing a lot."
Moeletsi Mbeki, who sits on boards of various organisations, said the national interest of South Africans, as opposed to that of the elite, was to see Zimbabwe's economy restored and its people employed, well fed and well housed.
Despite the president's quiet diplomacy, SA faced pressure from the west and most South Africans over Zimbabwe.
"They (western countries) are sensitive to abuse of human rights as they helped fight apartheid, and the people of SA want the government to do something on the human rights issues," Mbeki said.
Asked what advice he would give his brother in handling the Zimbabwe issue, he said: "I think the South African government needs to show a lot more energy in dissuading Zanu (PF) from brutalising the opposition. We need to send a message across to Zanu (PF) that an opposition has a right to exist and has the right to participate in activities." Sapa
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