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The South African Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, is scheduled to meet his Zimbabwean counterpart, Mr Tendai Biti, this month to discuss Zimbabwe’s request for further financial assistance. The request will thereafter be discussed by the South African Cabinet.

South Africa has previously assisted Zimbabwe, contributing R300 million to the SADC Agriculture Support Programme, a portion of which was used for the purchase of seeds, fertiliser and fuel for agricultural production in Zimbabwe. This support was provided through the African Renaissance Fund in terms of an agreement reached in 2008. The African Renaissance Fund is managed by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

South Africa also extended R300 million as a Budget Support Grant to Zimbabwe for the rehabilitation of municipal infrastructure, including water reticulation, health services and education. This funding, which was approved by parliament, was given in terms of an agreement reached in 2009 between the Ministers of Finance of Zimbabwe and South Africa.