Africa News
Report: Tsvangirai seeks aid injection from S.Africa government
Feb 20, 2009, 9:14 GMT
Harare - Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai flies to South Africa Friday, officials confirmed, for talks with South African President Kgalema Motlanthe on a reported aid package and the continued detention of pro-democracy activists.
South Africa's daily Business Day said Tsvangirai would be travelling with his finance minister, Tendai Biti, to discuss with Motlanthe plans for US$1 billion in aid from the African Development Bank.
Comment was not immediately available from Tsvangirai's office or from his Movement for Democratic Change.
The cash-strapped new government is in desperate need of funds to kickstart the reconstruction of the shattered economy after a decade of misrule by President Robert Mugabe's government.
This week, Tsvangirai met his promise to pay civil servants, including the army and police, in hard currency, paying 100 dollars to each worker at an estimated cost to the government of 30 million dollars.
Biti has been evasive on where the money came from and said the government only has enough money for another month's salaries.
Business Day also said Tsvangirai would appeal to Motlanthe over Mugabe's refusal to release Roy Bennett, his popular deputy agriculture minister-designate, as well as several other MDC members and civil society activists held since October.
Bennett missed his swearing-in Thursday after being arrested a week ago on charges of possession of weapons for 'banditry, sabotage and terrorism.'
State security and legal officers have repeatedly defied court orders for the activists' release and blocked Bennett's appeals for bail.
On Thursday, a court ordered the release on bail of seven detainees accused of bombing a Harare police station, but the attorney general's office appealed against the order.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Africa
- 1. Several dead in car bombing in northern Nigeria
- 2. Mogadishu blast kills seven, including sports chiefs
- 3. Seven dead in Mogadishu suicide bomb attack
- 4. ANC suspends Youth League leader with immediate effect
- 5. Police arrest Uganda's opposition leader and others at protest march
Older Talkback
page: 1
The South African government is obligated to take care of its citizens first, many of whom are Zimbabweans who don't want to go back. The economy has absorbed many Africans from other countries. South Africa cannot afford to be the saviour of countries who neglect the needs of their people. Our government is riddled with corruption as we speak. Where is the money going to come from and whose money is it, by the way?
page: 1
LimnothrissaFeb 20th, 2009 - 14:29:48
Are these people insane?
Zimbabwe now needs Five Billion Rands !!!! and is asking the South African Government for it! This is MY hard-earned taxpayers money that they want to give away - to who?
A homicidal, genocidal despot dictator, that has been kept in power against the will of the people of Zimbabwe because Thabo Mbeki helped to keep him there.
And this murderers reward is the right to steal Fifty Million of this money to buy himself a luxury holiday home in Hong Kong!!!!
If this money goes to Zimbabwe every South African should refuse to pay taxes.
If Mugabe wants more money he can ask his good friend Thabo for some, not me!
Report this comment