SA sees growing threat in Zim crisis

JOHANNESBURG – Increasing numbers of Zimbabweans are seeking to flee to South Africa, raising pressure for a solution to Zimbabwe’s deepening political and economic crisis, Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said yesterday.

Pahad told a news briefing South Africa “remained seized” with the issue of Zimbabwe, where there is no sign of an ease in a bitter standoff between President Robert Mugabe and the opposition as the economy teeters on the brink of collapse. “We have been concerned about the deteriorating economic situation (in Zimbabwe) and the predictions are it can get worse,” Sapa news agency quoted Pahad as saying.”We remain concerned not only about the effects on the people of Zimbabwe, but the effect on the region as a whole, because Zimbabwe is an important player.”Pahad said officials estimated that some 2 million Zimbabweans were in South Africa illegally, although independent analysts say the real number is more likely 3 million.- Nampa-Reuters”We have been concerned about the deteriorating economic situation (in Zimbabwe) and the predictions are it can get worse,” Sapa news agency quoted Pahad as saying.”We remain concerned not only about the effects on the people of Zimbabwe, but the effect on the region as a whole, because Zimbabwe is an important player.”Pahad said officials estimated that some 2 million Zimbabweans were in South Africa illegally, although independent analysts say the real number is more likely 3 million.- Nampa-Reuters