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Zuma goes to Zimbabwe to sooth tensions

Article published on the 2009-08-27 Latest update 2009-08-28 13:06 TU

Jacob Zuma earlier this month(Photo: Reuters)

Jacob Zuma earlier this month
(Photo: Reuters)

South African President Jacob Zuma is travelling to Zimbabwe in the hope of easing tensions within the trained unity government. During his two day visit to Zimbabwe, Zuma is set to meet Président  Robert Mugabe, and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. The now united rivals still remain in deadlock over issues such as the the appointment of the central bank chief and the attorney general.

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Tsvangirai’s party supporters are still said to be harassed by Police despite promises of political freedom in the unity accord. South Africa is Zimbabwe’s biggest trading partner and key backer to the unity deal.

Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change hopes Zuma’s visit will help unblock the political lockjam.However Mugabe’s spokesman downplayed the trip by telling state media Zuma’s visit was to address an agricultural Fair this Friday.

Zuma and Tsvangirai met three weeks ago in Johannesburg to talk about the troubles within the unity government.

85-year-old Mugabe faces pressure within ZANU-PF to not to further compromise the parties power.

Feuding in Zimbabwe has led the country to win 8.3 billion US dollars in aid of the civil service and shattered economy.

Takura Zhangazhafrom the Media Institute of Zimbabwe said he doubted any breakthrough could be achieved before the Southern African Development Community summit in  Democratic Republic of Congo next month.