SA delegation sent to Zimbabwe

SA has sent a delegation to Zimbabwe to ensure that peace prevails in the run-off

South Africa has sent a delegation to Zimbabwe to ensure that peace prevails in the run-up to the poll. Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma has disclosed this at the end of the fifth Ministerial Commission between India, Brazil and South Africa, known as IBSA.

She says none of the political parties in Zimbabwe will benefit if there is violence ahead of the presidential run-off elections. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has still not set a date for the run-off. The commissions reportedly ruled out May 23, the date required by law 21 days after the May 2 announcement of the presidential results.

Meanwhile South Africa's tripartite alliance described Morgan Tsvangirai's decision to take part in the presidential run-off election as a positive move. However the SA Communist Party (SACP) general-secretary, Blade Nzimande, says they are still concerned about the escalating violence in Zimbabwe. He says it is likely to affect the conditions for a free and fair poll.