Harare – Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa rebuffed a South African attempt to help end his nation’s economic and political crisis, and downplayed the problems it’s facing, two sources familiar with the matter said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa dispatched special envoys Sydney Mufamadi and Baleka Mbete to Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, on August 10 to explore ways South Africa could help its neighbour address its challenges.
According to officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to comment publicly, Mangagwa told the envoys there was nothing to discuss, dismissed reports of a crackdown on government opponents as a fabrication.
When the envoys noted that anti-government protests had been banned and scores of the state’s critics detained, Mnangagwa responded that large gatherings were not allowed because of the coronavirus and the arrests were an internal matter, said the officials.
The envoys were also told they had no business interfering in Zimbabwean politics as they carried no brief from either the African Union (AU) or the South African Development Community (SADC).
Zimbabwean government spokesperson Nick Mangwana didn’t answer three calls to his mobile seeking comment.
