PRETORIA (AFP) — South Africa's government criticised Sunday the imposition of new sanctions on President Robert Mugabe and his allies, especially with talks ongoing to try to resolve the crisis in Zimbabwe.
"For us, it is difficult to understand the objectives of new sanctions," Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said.
"The Zimbabweans are meeting, let them sort out what they want for their future. We should not allow outside interference," he told a press conference.
The United States and the European Union broadened sanctions this week on Mugabe and his closest aides, drawing accusations such moves could derail the negotiations under way in Pretoria.
South African President Thabo Mbeki spoke before Pahad but refused to be drawn on the issue of sanctions, saying only that talks were continuing and that his government wanted a negotiated settlement as soon as possible.
Mugabe, the veteran 84-year old who has ruled Zimbabwe since it gained independence from Britain in 1980, shook hands on Monday with bitter rival Morgan Tsvangirai and agreed to negotiate a settlement to the political crisis.
Mugabe was re-elected for a sixth term last month after Tsvangirai pulled out of a run-off second round election, citing a campaign of intimidation and violence against his supporters that had killed dozens and injured thousands.
The ruling ZANU-PF party says Mugabe's re-election unopposed in the June 27 run-off must be recognised for the talks to succeed.
Tsvangirai pushed Mugabe into second place in the first round of voting on March 29 but failed to win enough votes to secure outright victory, according to the official results.
He believes the outcome of the March ballot should be the starting point for any negotiations on power-sharing and his camp has been advocating a transitional government, with a view to fresh elections.
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