General News

Zuma and Mugabe to hold trade talks

Date: Apr 8, 2015

Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe has arrived in the country for his first state visit in over two decades of democracy. The 91-year-old Mugabe will hold private talks with President Jacob Zuma to bolster trade relations.

The influx of Zimbabwean economic migrants, illegal renditions and regional challenges are all expected to dominate Mugabe's two day visit.  

Despite the close political and economic ties between Pretoria and Harare, this is only President Robert Mugabe's first state visit since 1994. It comes almost two years after Zuma concluded his mediation efforts that saw Zimbabweans go to the polls.

Following the elections Harare is slowly emerging from economic isolation, desperate to kick start it's almost destroyed economy.  South Africa is Zimbabwe's biggest trading partner with exports at R24.8 billion while Zimbabwe's exports to South Africa reached R2 billion.

Department of International relations says President Zuma and Mugabe will sign off on a number of  trade and investment agreements.

Spokesperson Clayson Monyela elaborates on the importance of Mugabe's state visit. "This state visit comes at an opportune time. Its the occasion for the two countries to take stock of our bilateral relations and explore new areas of trade and political relations. Its an important state visit."

 

Meanwhile, Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition human rights organisation has called on President Zuma and Mugabe to be frank and push for accountability in the alleged rendition of Zimbabwean nationals by South African security agencies with some allegedly killed in that country.

The renditions have sparked a leadership crisis within Hawks and Independent Police  Investigative  Directorate with at least  two heads facing disciplinary action while another is negotiating an exit package.   

To date there has been no convictions, with reports that some of the nationals were murdered by security agencies in that country.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition spokesperson Joy Madenge has urged President Zuma to be firm with Mugabe when discussing Zimbabwe's ailing economy and that country's human rights record.

"As Zimbabweans we feel abandoned and concerned by the economic situation and the deteriorating human rights situation in Zimbabwe. Its almost a month since the abduction of the human rights activist by state security agents. We expect President Zuma to impress upon President Mugabe the need for him to act responsible and ensure that that whatever is happening in Zimbabwe is for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe."

The influx of Zimbabweans to South Africa is expected to be one of the major issues to be discussed by the two heads of states. Pretoria has been battling to issue working permits for the thousands of economic migrants while others continue to be in the country illegally. Monyela says this issue cannot be ignored

"I don't think you can have a state visit between South Africa and Zimbabwe and ignore that critical question of the number of Zimbabwens in South Africa and the impact it has on South Africa and Zimbabwe. So that matter will be looked at. It’s in South Africa's interest to have a strong and stable Zimbabwe."

President Mugabe's state visit will culminate with a Zimbabwe-South Africa business forum on Thursday.  Mugabe is accompanied by the first lady Grace, members of his cabinet and business people.
--sabc--

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