US and South Africa pledge Zimbabwe reform

THE US and South Africa pledged joint action yesterday to induce reforms in Zimbabwe as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed a new spirit of co-operation between the two democracies.

Clinton, visiting Africa’s largest economy on a seven-nation tour of the continent, said she did not come seeking promises, but believed that South Africa had a strong role to play in Zimbabwe and other African hotspots.

“We’re working together to realise the vision of a free, democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe,” Clinton said after talks with South African international relations minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

The pledge signals a shift in tone between Pretoria and Washington with relations uneasy in recent years due to sharp disagreements over Zimbabwe, the fight against Aids and the Iraq invasion.