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Sydney Kawadza Mash West Bureau Chief
South Africa has pledged to rebuild three bridges in areas ravaged by Cyclone Idai in March this year where more than 250 people perished in the national disaster.

International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu made the announcement in her remarks on the Occasion of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation Month Media Briefing in Pretoria, South Africa yesterday.

She also paid tribute to South African citizens who responded to a request for donations for the affected peoples of Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi.

“Through the assistance of the South African National Defence Force, we have almost transported all the collected items to the three affected countries with another consignment expected to be transported on May 15, 2019. South Africa has also pledged to assist with the rebuilding of three bridges in Zimbabwe.

“We have indeed shown that everything is possible to achieve if we work together towards a common purpose. Together we have made a difference to the lives of peoples affected.”

The South African government provided technical support when Cyclone Idai hit areas of Manicaland including Chimanimani and Chipinge.

The neighbouring country also provided sniffer dogs to identify areas where bodies of the cyclone victims could have been buried by landslides.

Meanwhile, Minister Sisulu also hailed the successful Third Session of the Bi-National Commission (BNC) between Zimbabwe and South Africa in Harare.

“In Zimbabwe, President Ramaphosa held fruitful bilateral discussions with his counterpart, HE President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“The discussions were held with a view to further strengthening and deepening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Zimbabwe and South Africa,” she said.

The two delegations, Minister Sisulu said, also exchanged views on regional, continental and international issues of mutual interest.

“South Africa and Zimbabwe emphasised the importance of expanding trade and investment to drive the strategic engagement forward. In this regard, the Heads of State directed their finance and trade ministers to work together to achieve these goals.

“Zimbabwe highlighted the key initiatives taken by Government to improve the ease of doing business in the country and further informed on the country’s efforts to simplify and rationalise investment rules with the view to attract foreign direct investment.”

She said the neighbouring countries had also agreed to work together on re-engagement with the international cooperating partners in support of Zimbabwe’s economic reform and the Debt Arrears Clearance Agenda.

“Zimbabwe expressed appreciation for the unwavering commitment of the government and people of South Africa in calling for the removal of illegal and unwarranted sanctions, which are stifling the country’s economic recovery programme,” she said.

President Mnangagwa and President Ramaphosa unequivocally called for the removal of sanctions on Zimbabwe which have largely affected the socio-economic conditions of the country.

South Africa is Zimbabwe’s largest trading partner with Zimbabwean exports across the Limpopo surpassing the US$2,2 billion mark in recent years.