afrol News, 24 December - South Africa has defended its R300 million contribution to the Zimbabwean regional basket aid, saying this was meant to alleviate suffering and help Zimbabweans regain their agricultural production confidence.

The country had come under fire following the disclosure on Sunday of the SADC basket aid to the battered Southern Africa state. Initially South Africa had said it would hold on all aid help to Zimbabwe until a functioning government was formed.

The South African presidency spokesperson Thabo Masebe, was quoted in the madie today, saying the help was inevitable as the situation in Zimbabwe was getting worse.

He also told the media that the aid was to address dire need for food aid in Zimbabwe, saying as a contribution to the basket aid by SADC, they were also ensured that the package will reach intended beneficiaries without any favours.

South Africa has among other items in the aid package to Zimbabwe, given maize and sorghum seeds, fertiliser and fuel, said to be meant to reactivate agricultural production and reboost economic activity.

The regional block launched a basket aid at the weekend aimed at addressing the Zimbabwean emergency crisis needs. SADC was however also cautious in the announcing the basket launch, saying it was solely aid and nothing beyond.

The regional grouping has lately also come under pressure from the West to help push president Robert Mugabe aside as they expressed lost hope in the formation of a government with him present.

Both Britain and the US have said it was time for Mr Mugabe to step down, while from the SADC corridors, only Botswana has openly criticised the way things have turned to be in Zimbabwe, calling for fresh elections instead of never ending dialouge and regional recommendations that are never implemented.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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