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Senator Mark Daly: Mr. Nkomo has shown outstanding bravery as the resident of a country which denies people their human rights on a daily basis. We all know evil prospers when good men remain silent. Evil is prospering in Zimbabwe, despite the efforts of good men such as Mr. Nkomo who refuse to be silent. He need not answer any question of mine if he considers it inappropriate to do so.

Much weight is apparently being placed on the question of constitutional reform in Zimbabwe. As we in this country know only too well, constitutional reform can be a slow process. In some cases, constitutional amendments may take five or six years to conclude. It seems the prospect of constitutional reform is being used as a smoke screen behind which the regime is hiding. Perhaps it might be more appropriate for Ms Brennan to respond to this point.

Is there a clear notion of who might take over in a post-Mugabe Zimbabwe in order to prevent the country descending into an abyss? Will it simply be the case that those currently supporting Mr. Mugabe will come to the fore and perpetuate the existing problems? It is appropriate that we are discussing the situation in Zimbabwe on the day South Africans go to the polls. We are all disappointed that that country is now a poorer and less hopeful place than it was when Nelson Mandela was President. South Africa is the power player in the region but there was little reference to it in the delegates’ presentations. It is South Africa that will make the decisions, manipulate the situation to a greater or lesser degree and decide the fate of Zimbabwe one way or the other.

It seems likely — God help us all — that Mr. Jacob Zuma will be the next President of South Africa. I fear he will do little to alleviate the problems in Zimbabwe. On a broader note, there is a concern that South Africa is heading down the same route as Zimbabwe after it attained independence in 1979. In ten or 15 years’ time will representatives of Trócaire be back to discuss land repossessions in South Africa? In 20 years’ time will we be discussing cases in which people have been imprisoned without due process in that country? As is often the case, I agree with my learned colleague, Deputy Higgins, that the Department of Foreign Affairs should seek representation at any future trial of Jestina Mukoko. I also agree that the European Union should be brought to task in regard to the importation of Zimbabwean diamonds by former colonial powers.

It is interesting to note in the briefing documents that Mr. Mugabe used the failure to implement the land reforms underwritten by the British in 1979 to stir up anti-British sentiment and retain his position. There is a lesson to be learned for the South African Government. If Mr. Nkomo considers it appropriate to answer my questions regarding a post-Mugabe Zimbabwe and South Africa’s key role in this matter, I will be very interested to hear his views.