Harare (New Ziana) –Zimbabwe cannot be told what to do, because it is a sovereign country and the negative narrative built up against it is unwarranted, South Africa’s ruling party, the ANC has said.

This was said by a top ANC delegation led by party secretary general Ace Magashule after talks with ruling Zanu PF party officials.

The visit, besides being normal interaction between former liberation movements, follows false social media accusations of government human rights abuses in Zimbabwe.

But, Magashule poured cold water on the allegations, upholding the government’s view that it was being subjected to unwarranted external pressure.

He said the ANC would engage Zimbabwe fully cognisant of the fact that it was a sovereign state

“We cannot dictate to Zimbabwe what to do. We can engage because Zimbabwe is a sovereign country, an independent country like any other country,” he said.

“I believe (what Zimbabwe is facing) are challenges facing the entire globe, the continent and our respective countries and therefore whenever there are challenges in Zimbabwe or South Africa as liberation movements those challenges must be confronted for as long as they affect our people and that is why we are here.”

Magashule said the ANC was of the view that Zimbabwe was being held back by economic sanctions imposed by Western countries.

“As the ANC, and as Sadc and as the AU we have said that as long as you have sanctions you are not creating a conducive environment for economic development for us as Zanu PF and for us as former liberation movements, you are not creating an integrated economy in our region and therefore it is important for us to continue making a plea to the entire world and the US for the sanctions they are implementing here (to be removed). We have as the ANC called for the lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe.

“And that is why we say our discussions were very friendly and open and we will keep on interacting as we move forward because the economic discussion is very important and that is what we are actually going to carry forward because for as long as we do not have the economy in our hands as the people of Sadc and the people of Africa we will continue having problems.”

Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu commended the ANC delegation for coming to Zimbabwe.

“It was a no holds barred meeting between comrades. This was the frankest, most candid engagement that I have experienced,” he said.

According to the communiqué released after the meeting between the two sides, the meeting reinvigorated long standing ties between the two liberation movements.

The strengthening of relations would be done through solidarity and regional integration programmes.

“Self introspect, renewal of values of trust, accountability, openness and honesty and this should be the mainstay of our parties resolve.”
New Ziana