Zuma shies away from attacking Mugabe

4/23/2008 - 10:55:37 AM

The leader of South Africa’s governing party today refused to condemn Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe over his continuing refusal to publish election results.

African National Congress president Jacob Zuma was in London for talks with British prime minister Gordon Brown.

Mr Brown is a fierce critic of Mugabe and has called on African leaders to withdraw recognition of his regime until long-delayed election results are published.

But Mr Zuma told BBC radio that he would not condemn Mugabe’s actions.

He also rejected claims that South African President Thabo Mbeki should take a tougher line with his country’s neighbour.

We are doing something more than anybody else in reality,“ he said. ”Other people are doing absolutely nothing.“