South Africa–Zimbabwe relations

South Africa–Zimbabwe relations

South Africa	Zimbabwe

South Africa–Zimbabwe relations have been generally cordial since the end of apartheid in South Africa, although there have been tensions due to political troubles in Zimbabwe in recent years.^[1]

South Africa has a mission in Harare. Zimbabwe has an embassy in Pretoria and a consulate general in Johannesburg.

The Government of Zimbabwe took a particular interest in the search for independence for Namibia (South-West Africa) from South Africa. In addition, as chairman of the Frontline States in southern Africa, Zimbabwe spoke out vigorously against the policies of apartheid in South Africa and frequently called for the imposition of economic sanctions against the government. However, whilst supporting democratic change in South Africa, Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe did not support the idea of Zimbabwe being used as a base for anti-South African guerillas.^[2]

In the 2007 Zimbabwean political crisis, South African President Thabo Mbeki mediated with the MDC and ZANU–PF to form a unity government, and often remained silent on the issues in Zimbabwe, which drew criticism.^[3] Following a cholera outbreak in Zimbabwe, the ruling ANC in South Africa became impatient and urged the parties to form a unity government.^[4]

The colonization of Southern Rhodesia was carried out from the territory of South Africa. Through South African ports, Southern Rhodesian goods were exported to international markets. In 1909, a proposal was made for Southern Rhodesia to join the Union of South Africa, but in a 1922 referendum the white population voted to retain the status of a self-governing colony.^[5]

Between 1965 and 1980, South Africa and Southern Rhodesia were very similar in both countries, a white minority ruled over a suppressed Black majority, and both faced international sanctions and diplomatic isolation as a result. Under these conditions, the two states grew very close. South Africa became the main purchaser of Southern Rhodesian agricultural products, while Pretoria supplied Ian Smith's government with weapons and fuel for use in the fight against insurgents.^[6]

The declaration of independence of Zimbabwe in 1980 formally led to the severance of diplomatic relations with South Africa until that country abandoned the apartheid regime.^[7] However, this rupture was largely political and did not signify an end to economic cooperation. During this period, a South African trade mission operated in Harare, through which the two countries maintained unofficial contacts, and a significant portion of Zimbabwean industry remained under South African ownership.^[7]

For this reason, the Zimbabwean government publicly supported the idea of granting independence to Namibia (South West Africa) from South Africa. As chair of the Frontline States in southern Africa, Zimbabwe opposed the policy of apartheid in South Africa and frequently called for the imposition of economic sanctions against its government. However, Robert Mugabe did not allow Zimbabwean territory to be used for the establishment of insurgent bases by South African guerrilla groups.^[8]

In 1994, apartheid was abolished in South Africa, and the two countries established diplomatic relations.

On September 3, 1998, South African President Nelson Mandela supported the intervention by Zimbabwean troops in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to support the government of Laurent Kabila against rebels.^[9]

Following the disputed Zimbabwean presidential election of 2002, in which Mugabe was re-elected, the South African observer mission was among a minority of international delegations which concluded that the result should be viewed as "legitimate."^[10][11] However, in addition to the observer mission, Mbeki had sent South African judges Sisi Khampepe and Dikgang Moseneke to observe the 2002 election. Their report, commonly known as the Khampepe Report, was not released until 2014, when the Mail & Guardian successfully sued for its publication.^[12] Directly contradicting the conclusions of the observer mission, the report documented widespread political intimidation and other anti-democratic behaviours by ZANU-PF, and found that the election "cannot be considered free and fair."^[13][14]

In the run-up to the Zimbabwean parliamentary elections of 2005, and despite reports of voter repression and political violence, Mbeki said, "I have no reason to think that anybody in Zimbabwe will act in a way that will militate against elections being free and fair."^[15] In addition to the SADC observer mission, the elections were attended by several South African observers, including an official government mission – led by Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana – and parliamentary mission. In contrast to many other international observers, none of the official delegations raised major concerns about the freeness or fairness of the elections. Indeed, the SADC mission, led by South African Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, congratulated Zimbabwe on what it said had been "peaceful, credible, well managed and transparent" elections and on the "high levels of political tolerance and maturity displayed."^[16] However, two South African opposition parties, the Democratic Alliance and Independent Democrats, pulled out of the parliamentary mission and made their own dissenting statements. In response to the government mission's endorsement of the results of the elections, Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), apparently effectively severed relations with Mbeki's administration.^[16]

• Foreign relations of South Africa
• Foreign relations of Zimbabwe

• Abraham Mlombo. 2020. Southern Rhodesia–South Africa Relations, 1923–1953. Palgrave.

• South African Embassy in Harare
• Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Pretoria