SOUTH AFRICA POLITICAL NEWSLETTER AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PRETORIA 001752 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KDEM PGOV ASEC SF POL PAS ECON SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICA POLITICAL NEWSLETTER AUGUST 23-AUGUST 29 PRETORIA 00001752 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) This was written in partnership with the Open Source Center's Pretoria Bureau. The newsletter is open to contributions from officers in the Embassy or in the Consulates who wish to highlight political trends. Contact Madeline Seidenstricker or Jonathan Smallridge for more information, or to make contributions. The newsletter also is available on the Political Section's blog, "A View from South Africa," found on intelink.gov. -------------- International News -------------- Senior Foreign Policy Leader Meets with American Delegation ¶1. (U) Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ebrahim Ebrahim met with a visiting CODEL on August 20. The meeting sought to bolster the partnership between the United States and South Africa to deal with the priority issues of unemployment, job creation, rural development, Justice, energy co-operation and food security. Additionally, American officials met with Gauteng Minister in the Executive Committee (MEC) for Finance and Economic Development and attended a working lunch hosted by Deputy Minister Andries Nel of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development in Cape Town on August 21. (DFA Briefing, 20 August) Outcomes of Zuma's Trip to Angola Become Clearer ¶2. (U) During President Jacob Zuma's August 20-21 state visit to Angola, Zuma met with Angolan President Eduardo dos Santos and discussed a number of issues aimed at improving bi-lateral relations between the two countries. The main themes included a desire to strengthen the ties of political, economic, technical-scientific, and cultural cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, trade, industry, agriculture, health, sport and recreation, and oil and gas. Various cooperation agreements were signed, namely in the fields of "Regular Political Consultations," infrastructure, industry, trade, sport and recreation, air services and human settlements. The two leaders agreed to maintain a regular, permanent dialogue in an effort to harmonize their position on issues of bilateral and sub-regional interest in the field of energy, taking into account the interests of both countries. (Presidency, August 21) Zuma in Zimbabwe ¶3. (U) President Zuma visited Zimbabwe August 27-28 to speak at the country's farm trade show and to press for quicker action from the unity government there. Zuma's trip follows a visit made by Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to South Africa three weeks ago. Zuma discussed a number of issues with Mugabe and Tsvangirai over the unity agreement. (AFP, August 24) SADC Military Exercise Scheduled for September ¶4. (U) Eleven Southern African Development Community members will commit about 6,500 troops, police and support staff to the Northern Cape early next month as part of a SADC joint military exercise called "Exercise Golfinho." The exercise is based on a fictional country called the "Republic of Lohatlha," which suffers from internal stabilization. Troops on land, in the air, and on the sea will attempt to infiltrate and stabilize the rebel group. The purpose of the exercise, which will also be acted out in Namibia's Walvis Bay as the port of entry, is to test the SADC's abilities to conduct a peacekeeping mission. (SAPA, August 19) -------------- Domestic News -------------- Congress of the People (COPE) Youth Angered by Purge Reports ¶5. (U) The Congress of the People's (COPE) youth wing is angry with Q5. (U) The Congress of the People's (COPE) youth wing is angry with allegations that the party's interim president, Mosiuoa Lekota, was purging provincial leaders he suspects of supporting the parties deputy, Mbhazima Shilowa, for the presidency of the party. According to youth wing national coordinator Malusi Booi, Lekota visited three provinces -- the Eastern Cape, North West and Northern Cape last week, allegedly as part of his plan to catch his opponents unprepared. A congress national committee (CNC) member told the Mail & Guardian that Lekota's has already expelled four provincial leaders -- Andile Nkuhlu (Eastern Cape),Nikiwe Num-Mangqo (North West),Lawrence Khoza (Gauteng) and Mbulelo Ncedana (Western Cape). In a presentation made to the congress working committee (CWC) last Monday, the Eastern Cape leadership, led by Secretary Archie Ralo, accused Lekota of undermining protocol through his "unpronounced, unknown visit" to the three provinces. COPE National Spokesperson, Phillip Dexter, defended Lekota's visits, saying they were sanctioned by the CNC. Dexter said "It is no secret that he is PRETORIA 00001752 002 OF 002 visiting all provinces where the organization is functioning below expectations. That includes swapping people around in leadership positions." (Mail and Guardian August, 25, 2009) Northwest ANC MEC in Trouble ¶6. (U) A Northwest African National Congress (ANC) MEC is in trouble for allegedly accusing the Zuma government of not keeping its electoral promise to prioritize education with adequate funding. Johannes Tselapedi, the provincial MEC for Education, told delegates at a meeting of the general council of the South Africa Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) on Friday that the ANC's Polokwane resolutions on public education system were unrealistic because there was no budget for such goals. His statements have led the Congress of South African Trade Unions and SADTU in Northwest to call for his axing, saying he has embarrassed the ruling party. The ANC last month disbanded its Northwest executive committee following allegations that most of its members were COPE sympathizers. (The Times, August, 24, 2009) Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Leader Says ANC Will Rule Forever ¶7. (U) Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi says it will be a while until the ANC is no longer in power. Writing in the IFP's weekly newsletter, he commented the ANC has used its 15 years in power wisely, thereby winning the hearts of the voters. Buthelezi added that it was unlikely that the Democratic Alliance (DA) would close the poll gap by defeating the ANC in the 2011 elections. His comments come as opposition parties plan to form a united front for the 2011 local government elections and national election in 2014. (Sowetan, August 25, 2009) IFP Youth Brigade Nominates Musa Zondi for President ¶8. (U) The IFP Youth Brigade has proposed IFP General-Secretary Musa Zondi as presidential candidate for the party's conference. Brigade member Mkhuleko Hlengwa announced this at a media conference in Durban. Hlengwa says Zondi is the only candidate who can preserve the legacy of the party. She denied allegations that there are divisions among the youth members, saying everyone is collectively responsible of how the party performs in any election. (SABCNEWS, August, 26, 2009) Service Delivery protest in Rustenburg ¶9. (U) Rustenburg police fired rubber bullets and teargas to disperse protesters who blocked a road in Ikageng near Rustenburg on Tuesday. Constable Botshelo Mothutsane reported that 200 people burned tires and blocked the road with stones to protest against the lack of service delivery in the area. Fifty-six of protestors were arrested and charged with public violence. (News 24, August,25,2009) Police Brutality During Service Delivery Protests ¶10. (U) Poloffs attended a public lectured at the University of Johannesburg this week where a sociology researcher from the university told the audience the sociology department is investigating cases of police brutality having occurred during the service delivery protests. The researcher cited incidents in Balfour were police fired rubber bullets at innocent civilians. The researcher then asked ANC chairperson Baleka Mbete, who was speaking at the lecture, why the ANC did not condemn police brutality during the protest. Mbete told the audience that the party was not aware of police brutality but as soon as the research is completed the ANC must be notified so it can comment accordingly. (August, 25, 2009) Gips