Exiled former Information Minister Jonathan Moyo has said ruling revolutionary parties, ZANU PF in Zimbabwe and South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) no longer share cordial relations.
Moyo cited a recent speech that was made by ANC’s President Cyril Ramaphosa during an address on his party’s 110th anniversary in which he did not mention Zimbabwe while calling for the lifting of sanctions against Cuba. Moyo said on Twitter:
The #January8statement at @MYANC’s 110th anniversary by @CyrilRamaphosa called for the unconditional lifting of sanctions against Cuba, solidarity with Palestine and Western Sahara, but was silent on #ZimSanctions: @MYANC/@ZANUPF_Official relations are now in smoke.
Zanu PF and ANC’s relations date back to the days of the two country liberation struggles with both parties assisting each other to attain their independence in 1980 in Zimbabwe and 1994 in South Africa.
Alleged fissures could have been triggered by a decision by the South African government not to renew the Zimbabwe Exemption permits in a development that will see 250 000 Zimbabweans returning back home.
In response, a South African-based ZANU PF (Sandton) branch proposed a ‘Dr (Aaron) Motsoaledi Aviation Bill’ which sought to levy all planes flying through Zimbabwe from South Africa. The Zimbabwean Embassy in South Africa distanced itself from the proposal.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s ambassador to South Africa, David Hamadziripi said that there are no diplomatic tensions between Zimbabwe and South Africa over immigrants.
More: Pindula News