DAVOS – South Africa will support Zimbabwe in whatever way
it can, but within the framework of what it is able to provide.
International Relations Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said on the
sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland,
yesterday that South Africa was keeping communication channels open with its
southern African neighbour.
“We think that Zimbabwe is in an unfortunate position where
large sections of the people are unhappy and expressing their unhappiness very
publicly in the streets,” Sisulu said.
“We would like to give whatever support we can to the
government of Zimbabwe to make sure they can provide stability and calm the
public in the most peaceful way possible.
“We are also prepared to support them in whatever way we
can. I’m not sure if it will be financially, or whatever kind of aid we can
provide. Our support will, of course, depend on our ability to provide them
with whatever kind of support… it will not necessarily be what they need, but
what we can afford.”
South Africa reportedly turned down a request from Zimbabwe
for a $1.2 billion (about R16.6bn) loan in December. South Africa is Zimbabwe's
biggest trading partner.
Last week, Zimbabwe erupted in countrywide anti-government
protests after President Emmerson Mnangagwa hiked the fuel price by up to 150
percent.
The government said the hikes, meant to tackle fuel
shortages, were part of the government's reining-in of inflation, shrinking the
budget deficit and settling arrears to creditors so that it can resume
borrowing again.
The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO forum says at least 12 people
were killed and 78 treated for gunshot injuries.
The protests forced Mnangagwa to abandon his trip to Davos
in order to address the crisis.
“We want to show that we are making progress on the
macroeconomic front,” said Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube in an interview in
Davos. “It’s painful, there are protests, but we have to stay the course.”
African News Agency (ANA)
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