Mevrou die Speaker, die VF Plus wil graag vir Botswana en Zambi gelukwens met hulle korrekte standpunt ten opsigte van mnr Mugabe en Zimbabwe. Die geskiedenis gaan Botswana en Zambi se standpunte teenoor mnr Mugabe en Zimbabwe as reg en demokraties suiwer, en Suid-Afrika se standpunt teenoor Zimbabwe verkeerd bewys.
Suid-Afrika en president Mbeki moet aanvaar dat gewone diplomatieke metodes en politieke oorreding in die spesifieke geval van mnr Mugabe ni gaan werk om hom te oortuig om van sy mag afstand te doen nie. Dit bly vir die VF Plus onverklaarbaar waarom president Mbeki in sy hantering van mnr Mugabe van sy standpunt oor demokrasie in Afrika, wat hy by die stigting van die Afrika-Unie in Julie 2002 uitgespreek het, afstand gedoen het.
Mnr Mbeki het by daardie geleentheid ges:
Through our actions, let us proclaim to the world that this is a continent of democracy, a continent of democratic institutions and culture. Indeed, a continent of good governance, where the people participate and the rule of law is upheld.
President Mbeki se optrede teenoor Zimbabwe en Mugabe trek 'n streep deur elkeen van hierdie standpunte van hom en vernietig s Suid-Afrika en Afrika se beeld in die buiteland. Ek dank u. (Translation of Afrikaans member's statement follows.) [Dr P W A MULDER (FF PLUS): Madam Speaker, the FF Plus would like to congratulate Botswana and Zambia on their correct position with regard to Mr Mugabe and Zimbabwe. History will prove the Botswana and Zambian positions on Mr Mugabe and Zimbabwe as correct and democratically just, and South Africa's position on Zimbabwe wrong.
South Africa and President Mbeki must accept that ordinary diplomatic methods and political persuasion, specifically in the case of Mr Mugabe, will not succeed in convincing him to relinquish power. It remains inexplicable to the FF Plus as to why President Mbeki, in his handling of Mr Mugabe, reneged on his position with regard to democracy in Africa, which he pronounced at the establishment of the African Union in July 2002.
On that occasion Mr Mbeki remarked:
Through our actions, let us proclaim to the world that this is a continent of democracy, a continent of democratic institutions and culture. Indeed, a continent of good governance, where the people participate and the rule of law is upheld.
President Mbeki's conduct towards Zimbabwe and Mugabe draws a line through each of his positions and in doing so destroys South Africa's and Africa's image overseas. I thank you.]