South Africa slams western sanctions on Zimbabwe

South Africa slams western sanctions on Zimbabwe

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THE South African government Sunday raised objections to new sanctions on Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe and his cronies while negotiations are continuing to try to end the country's crisis.

Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad suggested that sanctions were akin to external interference.

"For us, it is difficult to understand the objectives of new sanctions," said Pahad, two days after the US government broadened its sanctions by adding the names of several dozen individuals as well as 17 companies and parastatals linked to the Mugabe regime.

Earlier in the week, the European Union widened its list of individuals targeted by the sanctions, which include freezimg assets and visa bans.

"The Zimbabweans are meeting, let them sort out what they want for their future. We should not allow outside interference," Pahad told a news conference.

President Thabo Mbeki earlier told reporters that his government wants Zimbabwe's political rivals to speedily reach an agreement on a negotiated settlement to the country's crisis.

Mbeki as chief mediator said the talks which opened on Thursday are ongoing and the South African cabinet meeting last week expressed hopes that the participants would work fast towards a conclusive deal.

"Negotiations are continuing," said Mbeki, without giving details of the talks being held under a media blackout and at an upmarket lodge on the outskirts of the capital.

"The cabinet expressed hope that the Zimbabwean parties will act with urgency to ensure that a settlement is reached sooner," he added.

Zimbabwe's political crisis deepened last month after Mugabe defied international and regional calls to forge ahead with a one-man, second round presidential election from which opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had pulled out over violence against his supporters.

Mugabe's ruling Zanu PF party has said its leader's re-election in the June 27 run-off must be recognised for the talks, established by an agreement signed with Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Tsvangirai on Monday, to succeed. - AFP
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