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Zimbabwe 'ignoring' SA diplomacy Zimbabwe 'ignoring' SA diplomacy
(about 5 hours later)
Zimbabwe's government is not listening to South Africa's attempts to mediate its political crisis, says a senior African National Congress figure.Zimbabwe's government is not listening to South Africa's attempts to mediate its political crisis, says a senior African National Congress figure.
South Africa has refused to criticise Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe in public, preferring "quite diplomacy". South Africa has refused to criticise Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe in public, preferring "quiet diplomacy".
But Tokyo Sexwale told the BBC it might be necessary "to turn up the volume".But Tokyo Sexwale told the BBC it might be necessary "to turn up the volume".
South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has been asked to help mediate Zimbabwe's political crisis ahead of elections dues next year.South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has been asked to help mediate Zimbabwe's political crisis ahead of elections dues next year.
South Africa is the region's powerhouse and continues to supply electricity to Zimbabwe even though it struggles to pay the bills on time.South Africa is the region's powerhouse and continues to supply electricity to Zimbabwe even though it struggles to pay the bills on time.
'Two to tango''Two to tango'
Mr Sexwale - a veteran ANC activist and one of South Africa's wealthiest businessmen - told the BBC's Hardtalk programme that a meltdown in Zimbabwe had to be avoided at all costs, as this would have serious implications for South Africa.Mr Sexwale - a veteran ANC activist and one of South Africa's wealthiest businessmen - told the BBC's Hardtalk programme that a meltdown in Zimbabwe had to be avoided at all costs, as this would have serious implications for South Africa.
Roy Bennett says he has been persecuted in Zimbabwe"I'm beginning to feel my president, who's gone out on a limb, is not being listened to," he said.Roy Bennett says he has been persecuted in Zimbabwe"I'm beginning to feel my president, who's gone out on a limb, is not being listened to," he said.
"He won't fail because he didn't try. He'll fail because he's not being listened to. It takes two to tango.""He won't fail because he didn't try. He'll fail because he's not being listened to. It takes two to tango."
BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says these comments by Mr Sexwale, a close confidante of Nelson Mandela, reflect a mood of growing public frustration about the deepening crisis in Zimbabwe.BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says these comments by Mr Sexwale, a close confidante of Nelson Mandela, reflect a mood of growing public frustration about the deepening crisis in Zimbabwe.
While the US and the EU have imposed a travel ban and assets freeze on Mr Mugabe and his close allies, many African leaders see him as a hero of the fight against colonial rule.While the US and the EU have imposed a travel ban and assets freeze on Mr Mugabe and his close allies, many African leaders see him as a hero of the fight against colonial rule.
Mr Sexwale said the rule of law must be upheld by the Zimbabwean government.Mr Sexwale said the rule of law must be upheld by the Zimbabwean government.
In March, opposition activists, including Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, were severely assaulted after being arrested by police.In March, opposition activists, including Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, were severely assaulted after being arrested by police.
Mr Mugabe said they deserved the beatings for ignoring police warnings not to hold a banned rally.Mr Mugabe said they deserved the beatings for ignoring police warnings not to hold a banned rally.
Mr Sexwale said he was praying that President Mbeki's intervention on behalf of the Southern African Development Community would succeed, but he acknowledged that punitive sanctions were an option that might become necessary in the future.Mr Sexwale said he was praying that President Mbeki's intervention on behalf of the Southern African Development Community would succeed, but he acknowledged that punitive sanctions were an option that might become necessary in the future.
AsylumAsylum
An estimated two to three million Zimbabweans are now living in South Africa.An estimated two to three million Zimbabweans are now living in South Africa.
Most are trying to escape poverty in a country with the world's highest rate of inflation - 2,200%.Most are trying to escape poverty in a country with the world's highest rate of inflation - 2,200%.
Just one Zimbabwean in five has a job.Just one Zimbabwean in five has a job.
But some have fled political persecution.But some have fled political persecution.
In a significant move, it has been confirmed that former MDC MP Roy Bennett has been granted political asylum in South Africa, after fleeing there last year.In a significant move, it has been confirmed that former MDC MP Roy Bennett has been granted political asylum in South Africa, after fleeing there last year.
His request was initially turned down last May.His request was initially turned down last May.
He fled Zimbabwe after police had said he was wanted in connection with an alleged plot to kill President Mugabe.He fled Zimbabwe after police had said he was wanted in connection with an alleged plot to kill President Mugabe.
Mr Bennett was jailed for eight months in 2004 after pushing a minister in parliament.Mr Bennett was jailed for eight months in 2004 after pushing a minister in parliament.
His farm has been seized under the land reform programme and several of his workers were beaten up by pro-government militias.His farm has been seized under the land reform programme and several of his workers were beaten up by pro-government militias.