Sending special envoys to Zimbabwe ‘a step in the right direction’
A leading human rights lawyer has applauded the decision by President Cyril Ramaphosa to send two special envoys to Zimbabwe.
Ramaphosa has appointed former Safety and Security Minister Sydney Mufamadi and former National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete as special envoys to the country.
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Advocate Nqobizitha Mlilo, however, believes the issues facing Zimbabwe are deep-seated and would need the intervention of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the African Union (AU).
"But it unlikely that this envoy will unlock deep-seated political problems in the country. I'm not hopeful that there will be any solutions that will be achieved at the point, we are still a long from a lasting solution to the Zimbabwean crises," he says.
He adds the situation in the country would continue to deteriorate unless SADC and the AU come up with lasting solutions.
Meanwhile, executive director at Coalition Against Sanctions Zimbabwe Martha Shumba has described the decision by Ramaphosa as a move in the right direction.
Shumba says the world cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the situation in Zimbabwe.
"This is the first step in finding balance, and being able to be a go-in-between voice for the people of Zimbabwe and the government.”
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has also expressed its approval.
"Well we denounce and condemn what is happening in Zimbabwe, we pledge our solidarity to the workers of Zimbabwe.
"It is totally unacceptable, not only are the workers of Zimbabwe assaulted but the instability in Zimbabwe will affect South Africa," says Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla.
Listen to Pamla below: