Southern African Development Community (SADC) Chair President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will consult with the Chair of the Organ on Politics Defence and Security to ensure that appropriate protection is provided ahead of the elections in Zimbabwe.
He has condemned the bomb blast at White City stadium in Bulawayo, where Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa was addressing an election rally.
President Ramaphosa says it is vital that the political and security situation in Zimbabwe remains stable in the run-up to the general elections to be held on 30 July 2018.
He said acts of violence and criminality have no place in the democratic process of any sovereign state within the SADC region.
He says the SADC Troika Meeting held in Angola in April confirmed the state of readiness of all countries of the region going to elections including Zimbabwe, and that SADC will provide all the necessary support.
The President says acts of violence and criminality have no place in the democratic process of any sovereign state within the SADC region.
Mnangagwa ascended to power after long-time leader Robert Mugabe stepped down in November under military pressure.
Ramaphosa says acts of violence and criminality have no place in the democratic process of any sovereign state within the SADC region.
Spokesperson Khusela Diko says:”The president has called for calm in Zimbabwe. The president has also said that SADC will look at the matter and take appropriate steps in consultation with the chair of the organ if necessary.”
“I am aware that President Ramaphosa indicated this morning that he will speak to President Mnangagwa, firstly to offer support at this critical time but also to emphasize the point that SADC is behind free, peaceful and credible elections in the region. It’s not only Zimbabwe that is going to elections, but also Madagascar and the DRC.”
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