The South African government was turning a blind eye to the ongoing gross violation of human rights in Zimbabwe, ACDP president Kenneth Meshoe said on Monday.

Meshoe said his party was disturbed by the silence of the South African government and former liberation activists at a time when people in Zimbabwe were kidnapped, tortured and poisoned by President Robert Mugabe's security agents.

"If the SA government finds the kidnapping, torture and poisoning of Jestina Mukoko acceptable for whatever reason, then we ask why they still chose to remain silent when a two-year-old boy, Nigel Mpfuranhehwe was also tortured simply because his mother opposes... Zimbabwe's cruel dictator," Meshoe said in a statement.

Mukoko, the peace activist, was accused of plotting to overthrow Mugabe.

Judge Gloria Takunda on Monday ordered that Mukoko be allowed to receive medical attention before the case proceeded. Mukoko and 31 other activists who appeared in the Harare magistrate on Monday, claimed they had been tortured while in police custody.

The case was postponed to Tuesday.

Meshoe said SADC leadership and the South African government in particular, had dismally failed the people of Zimbabwe.

"Except for Botswana, all the SADC region countries have brought shame to our continent by their defence and protection of a man who should be in prison for crimes against humanity," he said.

Meshoe called on the South African government to speak out against the kidnappings, torture, poisoning and abuse of Zimbabweans who were tired of oppression by their illegitimate government.