Alliance partner turns on ANC over Zimbabwe

South Africa's National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has condemned the political violence in Zimbabwe and has expressed concern over the silence of regional leaders on the crisis, news reports said on Thursday. "President (Robert) Mugabe is publicly encouraging anarchy in his own country," NUM president James Motlatsi was quoted as saying. "We are not interfering in Zimbabwe's affairs, but we are duty-bound to condemn that anarchy and urge Mugabe to find a peaceful and lasting solution," said Motlatsi. The NUM is the second major African National Congress-alliance partner to condemn the violence in Zimbabwe and, by implication reports said, criticise President Thabo Mbeki, who has pursued a path of "quiet diplomacy". Two weeks ago the South African Communist Party spoke out on Zimbabwe and last week the ANC's media spokesperson, Pieter Venter resigned over the party's refusal to take a public stand against Mugabe's approach on the land the issue.