The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

It is regrettable that the Secretary-General of the ANC, Mr Gwede Mantashe
has publicly endorsed Zanu-PF, with regard to their prospects in the
forthcoming general elections in Zimbabwe.

He should in fact, have encouraged the leaders of the Government of National
Unity in Zimbabwe, to work towards free and fair elections in Zimbabwe,
regardless of who wins.

The ANC may argue that Mr Mantashe represents the ANC and not the government
of South Africa, and that he was therefore not speaking on behalf of
Government, forgetting that there is a strong interlock between the ANC as
the ruling party and the Government of the day. In other words, because of
this undeniable link, the ANC espouses government's policies, or visa versa,
the Government espouses ANC policies - foreign and otherwise.

The ANC should not forget that Zanu-PF has been accused of serious
violations of human rights and other atrocities.

Our plea therefore, as the IFP, to the Secretary-General of the ANC is to
instead foster unity of the people of Zimbabwe, and to encourage an
all-inclusive process towards free and fair elections - void of any
violence and intimidation, which has come to characterize previous elections
in that country.

Otherwise, his current comments and approach will unfortunately only achieve
the opposite.