Robert Mugabe's high-handed action in unilaterally determining that the Zimbabwean elections will take place on 31 July 2013, and not as previously agreed before the end of September 2013, is totally unacceptable.  The reason for the later date is to allow for the implementation of all aspects of the new constitution approved on 16 March, with its requirements in respect of the voters roll, election conditions, international observers, human rights and other matters already agreed to by all parties.

Mugabe's action must be opposed at the SADC meeting tomorrow.

President Jacob Zuma as SADC's nominated facilitator has a critical role to play.  He has developed a consensus in the organisation that its primary objective is to bring about political change in Zimbabwe via a free and fair election.  In this regard, SADC is supported by the US, the EU and other major states.  Particularly significant is that President Obama has been insisting that he will only accept an election that is free and fair and which has international observers and which is subject to international observers before, during and in the post-election phase.

President Zuma understands power and knows how to use it. Moreover, he has a first rate intelligence service which tells him what is happening on the other side of the border.

If he wants to carve his name in BIG letters in the history of Southern Africa, he must ensure that a free and fair election takes place by the end of September 2013 and not allow the enemies of that process to succeed in their shenanigans.

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