The SADC Troika on Politics, Defence and Security has called for an urgent meeting of all SADC regional leaders to discuss the deepening political crisis in Zimbabwe. This follows the seemingly bloodless coup after the army announced that it is targeting what it calls criminals around President Robert Mugabe.
President Jacob Zuma, who is also the SADC chair, arrived in Botswana on Thursday night for a meeting with his Botswana counterpart, Ian Khama.
The meeting is expected to focus on the Zimbabwean situation.
The SADC regional bloc has been revered as the most stable region on the continent. But recent developments in Zimbabwe could put an end to that.
The situation in Harare is worsening in what appears to be an unannounced coup.
Zanu-PF internal squabbles are also playing themselves out in the open, and if left unattended, the situation could destabilise the entire region.
International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane says the political impasse in Zimbabwe warrants an urgent extra-ordinary summit of regional leaders.
Meanwhile, President Zuma is expected to give an update after receiving the briefing from his envoys he dispatched to Zimbabwe. They include Ministers of Defense Nosiviwe Mapisa-Ngqakula and Bongani Bongo of State Security.
