SA applauds crackdown on squatters

In a separate development, the South African government said it welcomed the crackdown on illegal land occupations.

Government spokesman Joel Netshitenze said the cabinet viewed the crackdown as an “implementation of the undertaking to the South African delegation of the eviction of those who are occupying farms that have not been designated.”

Netshitenze said the cabinet had agreed that South African ministers would continue to meet with their Zimbabwean counterparts in an effort to help the country’s northern neighbour. He said ministers had discussed on Wednesday the oil shortage in Zimbabwe “as well as matters pertaining to multi-lateral institutions.” He told reporters he was referring to South Africa’s promises to negotiate with the International Monetary Fund and World Bank on Zimbabwe’s behalf.