President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Monday met with envoys deployed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to appreciate the prevailing situation in Zimbabwe in light of recent reports of ‘human rights violations’.

Last week, President Ramaphosa, in his capacity as chairperson of the African Union, appointed former Cabinet Minister Dr Sydney Mufamadi and former speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete as his special envoys to Zimbabwe following reports of ‘difficulties’ the country was experiencing.

Speaking to media after a lengthy meeting at State House, team leader Dr Mufamadi said the envoys were on a fact-finding mission.

He however could not give more details on the outcome of the meeting, preferring to first brief the principal, President Ramaphosa.

“We had a meeting with his counterpart. In other words we were listening to the reading of the situation and what is being done with the intentions to do extra things.

“I know you will not ask us to report to our President through the media, we will be reporting to the President who will then interact with the public in part through you good self , in due course,” said Dr Mufamadi.

The deployment of envoys follow an intensified smear campaign against Zimbabwe on social media under hash tags such as #ZimbabweanLivesMatter, alleging human rights abuses happening in the country.

Government has however dismissed claims of human rights abuses by opposition political activists saying the reports were part of a coordinated campaign to effect regime change in the country.

New Ziana