"Zimbabwe’s problems are for Zimbabweans to resolve," he told the Financial Gazette by telephone from Cape Town.
"We as neighbours and the international community can only lend support to efforts that the Zimbabweans themselves will be making to resolve their problems. We refuse to accept the notion that, because of problems in one country, the whole of Africa should be painted with the same brush and that NEPAD should suffer," Khumalo said.
But analysts pointed out that for all of South Africa’s diplomatic words on Zimbabwe, it was clear Mbeki was feeling increasingly frustrated by any lack of progress by Harare in stamping down on violence which has accompanied its land seizures and its failure to make peace with the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Mbeki has reportedly expressed disquiet over these two issues, especially after Mugabe’s ruling ZANU PF last month abruptly postponed talks on the disputed March vote with the MDC, which is now agitating for mass action to back demands for the poll’s re-run.
It is known that Mbeki would want a government of national unity in Zimbabwe, but his overtures and efforts on this front have made little headway so far because both ZANU PF and the MDC reject such a coalition.
"We as neighbours and the international community can only lend support to efforts that the Zimbabweans themselves will be making to resolve their problems. We refuse to accept the notion that, because of problems in one country, the whole of Africa should be painted with the same brush and that NEPAD should suffer," Khumalo said.
But analysts pointed out that for all of South Africa’s diplomatic words on Zimbabwe, it was clear Mbeki was feeling increasingly frustrated by any lack of progress by Harare in stamping down on violence which has accompanied its land seizures and its failure to make peace with the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Mbeki has reportedly expressed disquiet over these two issues, especially after Mugabe’s ruling ZANU PF last month abruptly postponed talks on the disputed March vote with the MDC, which is now agitating for mass action to back demands for the poll’s re-run.
It is known that Mbeki would want a government of national unity in Zimbabwe, but his overtures and efforts on this front have made little headway so far because both ZANU PF and the MDC reject such a coalition.