The President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma and four Foreign Ministers from the South African region are currently meeting in Botswana to discuss and resolve the current political crisis in Zimbabwe triggered by the ousting of President Robert Mugabe by the Military. Yesterday, the Zimbabwean military in a public broadcast stated that the crackdown was to take care of criminal elements around Mugabe and denied that the military had taken over power. They claimed that the President was safe and urged all citizens to remain calm.
Speaking with President Jacob Zuma of South Africa on Wednesday, Mugabe stated that he was being confined to his residence along with his family but hinted that he was safe.
Today's meeting may seek to truncate plans by Robert Mugabe to allow his wife, Grace Mugabe succeed him. Confirming the meeting, the South African President said '
"A ministerial meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics‚ Defence and Security Cooperation will meet today in Gaborone. The meeting will be attended by Ministers from Angola‚ Zambia‚ Tanzania and South Africa.
It will be co-chaired by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa and the Angolan Defence Minister. It is expected that the Ministers will make recommendations to the Heads of State and Government on the political situation in Zimbabwe‚” the statement said."
