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Mashudu Netsianda, Senior Reporter
SOUTH Africa has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Zimbabwe in addressing socio-economic challenges in the country and reiterated its call for the removal of sanctions imposed by the West.

Speaking in Parliament during a debate on the State of the Nation Address last week, the neighbouring country’s International Relations and Co-operation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said the lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe would boost the country’s economy.

She said her country would do whatever it takes to help ease the socio-economic challenges in Zimbabwe.

“Zimbabwe has had an on-going, challenging socio-economic situation which has inadvertently had an impact on us in South Africa. The President (Cyril Ramaphosa) has been in engagements with the President of Zimbabwe (Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa), and we now have a clearer picture of what is happening in Zimbabwe. As such, we stand ready to assist in addressing the challenges that face Zimbabwe because they impact on us,” said Minister Sisulu.

“We would like to express our support for the lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe in order to allow for economic development in that country.”

She said South Africa and Zimbabwe have a long standing relationship dating back to the period of the liberation struggle.

“We have had a very long standing relationship with the people of Zimbabwe from the time we were in the struggle. At any time they need our assistance, they are able to request our assistance,” said Minister Sisulu.

Last month, President Ramaphosa took the campaign against illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe to the 49th edition of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

President Ramaphosa said the sanctions against Zimbabwe were stifling the country’s economic growth.

“Zimbabwe has emerged from a very difficult political situation and they held recent elections which went well. But they still have sanctions that many countries around the world have imposed on them,” said President Ramaphosa.

“We are some of those who have been calling on the world to relax the sanctions or lift the sanctions altogether so that Zimbabwe can begin to operate in an economic manner with the capabilities that it has.”

President Ramaphosa said while South Africa is in negotiations with Zimbabwe to find solutions to its challenges, the world must help the situation by lifting sanctions placed on the country.

Zimbabwe has been labouring under illegal Western sanctions which have hurt the economy for about 20 years.

Last year, President Ramaphosa, also called on the European Union (EU) to lift sanctions on Zimbabwe saying the country has turned a wonderful corner and needs support on its path to great reforms.

He made the call to the EU leaders during last year’s 7th South Africa European Union Summit in Brussels, Belgium where they discussed a number of issues around trade, climate change, women’s rights among other global issues.

Upon his assumption of office as the Head of State and Government in November 2017, President Mnangagwa’s first foreign visit was to South Africa.

He met President Ramaphosa and former President Jacob Zuma as part of moves to deepen the economic ties between Harare and Pretoria.

— @mashnets