SA, Zambia mend fences after Scott's 'bluster'

SA, Zambia mend fences after Scott's 'bluster'

ARTHUR SIMUCHOBA Correspondent

"South Africa has taken note of the negative remarks on South Africa attributed to Guy Scott, the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia. In view of this development, the South African government has decided to take the matter up through the appropriate diplomatic channels. Accordingly, we shall be summoning the High Commissioner of Zambia to South Africa to the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to seek an explanation behind the remarks and what it means in the context of our bilateral relations."

Zambia scrambled to limit the damage. Information Minister Kennedy Sakeni said the remarks were made in a personal capacity and did not in any way reflect the Zambian government's position. He said the government had no reason to demonise South Africa, as the two countries shared cordial relations that dated back to the struggle against apartheid. "Government has no reason to demonise South Africa. We also wouldn't want anyone to demonise us, so this is just something that happened and will be sorted out diplomatically," he said adding that Scott was on leave at the time he gave the interview. When summoned, Zambian High Commissioner Muyeba Chikonde assured Pretoria that relations continue to be close despite the reported remarks. Chikonde met with the Deputy Director General for Africa Ebrahim Salei and said that Scott was on leave and it was hard to ascertain whether he actually made the remarks. In Lusaka, calls for Scott's resignation came thick and fast while his remarks were mainly characterised as a mere "rant". (SPA)

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SA, Zambia mend fences after Scott's 'bluster'