Zim – SA Bi-National Commission boosts ties

Zim – SA Bi-National Commission boosts ties

Mako Jerera

Government has presented a report on the Mid-Term Review of the Third Session of the Zimbabwe-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC) which was held on 10 August, 2022 in Pretoria, South Africa.

The purpose of the meeting was to review progress in implementing bilateral programmes agreed between the two Southern African countries under the BNC framework.

The meeting reviewed implementation of programmes on cooperation between the two counties, which were adopted at the Third Session of the BNC held in Harare in March 2019. Cabinet expressed general satisfaction with the level of implementation of the agreed programmes, and urged that consultations be expedited on outstanding issues, especially in the economic sector.

Addressing delegates at the BNC’s Mid-Term Review in South Africa, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava said there was need for diligent implementation of projects under the BNC.
“South Africa is Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner as well as a source of foreign direct investment,” said Ambassador Shava.

Information, Broadcasting and Publicity Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said government acknowledged the need to improve on the balance of trade between the two countries, which has historically been in South Africa’s favour, and agreed to expedite the establishment of the One Stop Border Post at Beitbridge/Musina in order to eliminate bottlenecks being encountered.

“The continued malicious reports in the Social Media depicting Zimbabweans as the chief perpetrators of crime in South Africa and highlighted the need to consistently supply correct information in the formal media. Cabinet would like to assure the nation that Government remains committed to ensuring that its citizens are given the requisite protection and accorded the necessary dignity.”

The ex-Wenela compensation issue took centre stage in this Mid-Term Review Session. It was agreed that the compensation of ex-Wenela mine workers should be operationalised.

Meanwhile, the nation is assured that the country has 490 000 metric tonnes of grain in the Strategic Grain Reserve. Thus the 120 000 metric tonnes required to support the needy households will be sufficiently covered.