United States Ambassador to Harare, Pamela Marie Tremont, has said Chinese investments in Zimbabwe have not improved the lives of ordinary citizens, pointing to rising poverty and growing inequalities as evidence, reported <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/chinese-investment-in-zimbabwe-not-benefiting-citizens-us-ambassador/">ZimLive</a>.
In a podcast interview with J.W. Oliver, Tremont said the number of Zimbabweans living below the poverty line has doubled since 2011, despite the substantial Chinese investment in the country. She added:
<blockquote>
Welfare equality in Zimbabwe is actually getting worse. The rich are getting richer. The poor are getting poorer.
</blockquote>
Tremont identified weak regulations as a key issue, particularly in the mining sector, where labour rights are frequently ignored, and workers are exposed to hazardous conditions. She said:
<blockquote>
Investors have come here without any guardrails, without any guarantees that what they’re taking out of the country is benefiting the people of Zimbabwe.
And so, a lot of that investment and job creation hasn’t really gone to benefit the people of Zimbabwe. Their labour rights aren’t protected.
They’re not paid a fair wage; they’re not given safe work environments. They work in horrific conditions, sometimes using child labour.
</blockquote>
Tremont urged the Zimbabwean government to ensure that foreign investments benefit citizens by providing fair wages and safe working conditions.
She contrasted Chinese investments with U.S.-backed initiatives like Zimworks, which she praised for adhering to higher ethical standards. Said the U.S. ambassador:
<blockquote>
U.S. companies bring a completely different standard of investment to Zimbabwe.
That’s why there’s such a hunger for more first-world investment, which avoids the abuses we’ve seen in sectors like mining.
</blockquote>
There is competition between the United States and China in Zimbabwe which is part of a broader geopolitical and geoeconomic rivalry playing out across Africa.
Since Zimbabwe gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1980, its relations with both the US and China have evolved.
Initially, Zimbabwe maintained strong ties with Western countries, but these relations deteriorated over issues such as land reforms and human rights.
In response, the US and other Western nations imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, leading to its economic isolation.
This prompted Zimbabwe to seek new allies, adopting the “Look East” policy and strengthening its relationship with China.
As a result, China has become a major investor in Zimbabwe, particularly in sectors like mining, infrastructure, and agriculture.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Chinese investment in Zimbabwe has not helped regular people. The US Ambassador said poverty has increased and the rich keep getting richer. Chinese companies in mining don't protect workers' rights. The Ambassador wants Zimbabwe to make sure foreign investments pay fair wages and keep workers safe. US companies, like Zimworks, are better at this. Zimbabwe used to be friends with the US but turned to China for help. China now invests a lot in Zimbabwe. The US and China are competing for influence in Africa.

Chinese Investment In Zimbabwe Has Not Benefited Ordinary Citizens - US Ambassador

United States (US) ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety has confirmed meeting International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor but stopped short of apologising for his claims that South Africa sold arms and ammunition to Russia in December 2022.
This is despite Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) spokesperson Clayson Monyela saying Brigety had “apologised unreservedly” for his remarks.
In <a href="https://twitter.com/USAmbRSA/status/1657128120640520193?s=20">a tweet posted</a> about two hours after Monyela <a href="https://twitter.com/ClaysonMonyela/status/1657097215150546952?s=20">had tweeted</a> about the meeting on Friday night, Brigety said he had the chance to “correct misimpressions left by his public remarks” reaffirming the strong ties between South Africa and the United States. He wrote:
<blockquote>
I was grateful for the opportunity to speak with Foreign Minister Pandor this evening and correct any misimpressions left by my public remarks.
In our conversation, I reaffirmed the strong partnership between our two countries and the important agenda our Presidents have given us.
</blockquote>
South Africa is the United States’ largest trading partner in Africa, with billions of dollars worth of trade between the two countries.
It is feared that the straining of relations between the two countries could spell economic trouble, especially for South Africa’s emerging markets.
Brigety is yet to provide concrete proof of his claims that South Africa armed Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
If it is proved that South Africa provided arms to Russia to aid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, there are fears that South Africa faces a risk of heavy sanctions by the US.
South Africa has a relatively well-developed defence industry, with a number of companies involved in the design, manufacture and maintenance of military equipment.
Some of the major players in South Africa’s defence industry include:
<ul>
<li>Denel, which is a state-owned company involved in the production of artillery, munitions, and missile technology; </li>
<li>Armscor, which is responsible for the procurement and management of defence equipment for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF);</li>
<li>Paramount Group, which designs and manufactures armoured vehicles, aircraft and unmanned aerial systems.</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

US Ambassador Hails Meeting With SA's Pandor But Silent On Apology

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) said United States ambassador Reuben Brigety has apologised for allegations he made against the southern African country on Thursday.
Brigety was summoned by Minister Naledi Pandor on Friday night and rebuked for his public comments that South Africa had supplied Russia with arms and ammunition to aid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement posted on Twitter on Friday night, DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela said Brigety has since apologised for the claims. He wrote:
<blockquote>
The meeting between USA Ambassador to South Africa @ReubenBrigety and @DIRCO_ZA took place this afternoon.
We conveyed our displeasure with his conduct and he admitted that he crossed the line and apologised unreservedly.
The relations between the USA &amp; South Africa are cordial, strong, and mutually beneficial.
We reaffirmed our commitment to continue to work together for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
There’s a commitment to use established diplomatic channels to raise whatever issue may arise in the management of the bilateral relations between the two countries.
Minister Naledi Pandor also spoke to her counterpart, Secretary @SecBlinke. As previously stated, the National Conventional Arms Control Committee has not approved any sale of arms to Russia related to the period and incident in question.
The inquiry initiated by HE President Cyril Ramaphosa will be a platform to establish facts and role players in the incident in question. Anyone found to have broken the law will face consequences.
</blockquote>
President Cyril Ramaphosa has instituted an inquiry to be led by a retired judge to investigate the allegations raised by the American diplomat. Added Monyela:
<blockquote>
DIRCO welcomes the decision by President Cyril Ramaphosa to appoint an independent inquiry to be chaired by a retired judge to look into the allegations made by the US ambassador to South Africa.
This process will allow for facts to be established and for role players to be identified. Anyone found to have broken the law will face severe consequences.
</blockquote>
The South African currency, the rand crashed against the US dollar after Brigety’s allegations.
He claimed that the weapons and ammunition were loaded onto a Russian ship that docked at the Simon’s Town naval base in Cape Town in December last year.
The rand hit R19.32 against the US dollar – close to its previous record low, reached in 2020.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

United States Ambassador Apologises To SA For Russian Arms Sale Allegations

South Africa has criticised the United States for alleging that a Russian ship, Lady R, was loaded with weapons while docked at Simon’s Town naval base in South Africa in December last year.
In an interview with the SABC News on Friday, minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said if the United States has security concerns, it must go through the correct channels. <a href="https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2023-05-12-we-cannot-be-bullied-by-the-us-says-minister-in-the-presidency/?utm_source=Arena+Holdings&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=%27We+cannot+be+bullied+by+the+US%2C%27+says+minister+in+the+Presidency+%7C+Load-shedding+pushing+some+KZN+municipalities+to+brink+of+collapse+%7C+City+Power+warns+Alex+residents&amp;utm_term=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.timeslive.co.za%2Fpolitics%2F2023-05-12-we-cannot-be-bullied-by-the-us-says-minister-in-the-presidency%2F">She said</a>:
<blockquote>
The ambassador has not followed diplomatic channels in terms of dealing with issues in South Africa and this is not the first time this has happened.
</blockquote>
She castigated US ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety’s “megaphone diplomacy” approach.
Addressing the media in Pretoria on Thursday, Brigety alleged that Washington had established the vessel was loaded with weapons while docked at the naval base. Said Ntshavheni:
<blockquote>
It doesn’t work. If the US has concerns about anything in South Africa, they are allowed to raise them — but the channel they need to contact is DIRCO [the Department of international relations and co-operation] to say these are the issues they have problems with because we have a relationship with the US.
… They have not done that. What was worrying is that the embassy once issued a terror alert, not only for the richest square mile in the African continent but at a period when there was a gay pride march scheduled.
If you know that on our continent we are faced with the challenges of homophobia … when you issue a terror alert based on not-ascertained information, you are saying the LGBTQI community are up for being targeted and anybody can do anything to them.
</blockquote>
Ntshavheni said the United States of America should respect South Africa’s sovereignty and not treat it as a client State. She said:
<blockquote>
They don’t gather information to the extent that we gather, and did not compare notes to see whether what they had gathered was the same as ours.
We have co-operation on security matters, to share information, and they want to treat us as if we are one of their states. We are not.
We are a sovereign and republic state and we are not going to co-govern with the ambassador of the US.
</blockquote>
On Thursday, Brigety told a media briefing that the US believed weapons and ammunition had been loaded onto a Russian freighter that docked at a Cape Town naval base in December 2022.
Brigety said, “We are confident that weapons were loaded onto that vessel and I would bet my life on the accuracy of that assertion”.
Ntshavheni also said South Africa has no sanctions against Russia therefore the US should not drag South Africa into its issues with Russia and China.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

South Africa Responds To US Accusations Of Arming Russia

United States President, Joe Biden has named his nominees for ambassadorship roles in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Niger.
The U.S. foreign relations committee held confirmation hearings for Biden’s ambassadorship nominees to the four African countries on Wednesday.
According to <a href="https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/biden-names-nominees-for-zimbabwe-rwanda-nigeria-and-niger-ambassadorship-20230303">News24</a>, ambassador-designate to Zimbabwe, Pamela Tremont, has 30 years of experience in foreign services.
Tremont said she will actively work to support the democratic aspirations of Zimbabweans. She said:
<blockquote>
If confirmed, I will actively work to support the democratic aspirations of those advocating for Zimbabweans’ constitutional rights, and I will seek partnerships with all those in Zimbabwe who are doing the same.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs, Robert Scott, was in Zimbabwe and had engagements with the government about the upcoming general elections.
Speaking after meeting Foreign Affairs Minister Frederick Shava in Harare, Scott said they all agreed on the need for non-violence during the upcoming elections.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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