Hon Naledi Pandor
Minister of International Relations S. Cooperation OR Tombo Building, 460 Soutpansberg Rd. Rietondale. Pretoria

04 August 2020

HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN ZIMBABWE: ONE SA URGES MINISTER PANDOR TO ISSUE A DEMARCHE ON ZIMBABWEAN AMBASSADOR DAVID HAMADZIRIPI

Dear Minister Pandor

I write to strongly urging that a demarche be Issued on Zimbabwean Ambassador David Hamadziripi by the South African government in fight of the flagrant human rights abuses by the ZANU-PF led government in Zimbabwe.

The purpose of issuing a demarche is to demand a full explanation from the ambassador os to the unfolding human rights crisis in Zimbabwe and o commitment to ending these atrocities at once.

Disturbing reports of violence, intimidation
torture and detention without trial being carried out by the Zimbabwean government against citizens, opposition voices and journaists cannot go unchallenged.

Following Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s national address in which he sought to blame “western powers” for the country’s current woes the people of Zimbabwe are left in fear and without answers.

South Africa cannot turn a bind eye to such atrocities. Quiet diplomacy allows injustices to continue unabated. Now is the time for South Africa to regain its moral voice on the continent and denounce such actions perpetrated by the Zimbabwean government.

Until this point current African Union (AU) chairperson Cyril Ramaphosa has foiled in implementing the AU’s mandate “to promote and protect human rights on the continent” as per Article 3(h) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union.

As DIRCO Minister. I implore you to act decisively on behalf of the South African government and issue a demarche at once.

South Africa must champion and protect democrocy in the region and on the continent. The actions of the Mnangagwa government are that of a liberation movement that continues to oppress its people.
There is no time for ambiguity.

The South African government must speak out and condemn the violent, inhumane and undemocratic actions of the ZANU PF government in Zimbabwe and demand an end to such conduct.
I look forward to your response.

Yours Faithfully
Mmusi Maimane
Chief Activist: One South Africa Movement