CAPE TOWN, South Africa — South Africa, which has been reluctant to criticize Zimbabwe publicly, made a strong call Thursday for the release of the African nation’s presidential election tallies.
Government spokesman Themba Maseko warned that “the situation is dire” and criticized the failure of President Robert Mugabe’s government to release results nearly two weeks after the March 29 elections.
South African President Thabo Mbeki was widely criticized for saying last weekend that Zimbabwe was not in crisis. On Thursday, Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai called on Mbeki to step aside as mediator in favor of Zambia’s president, who has taken a tougher stance toward Mugabe.
President Bush criticized Zimbabwe’s neighbors Thursday for failing to intercede to stop violence and misrule in the country.
