S Africa sees Zimbabwe ‘meltdown’

South Africa’s deputy foreign minister has made the country’s strongest comments on neighbouring Zimbabwe, saying it was on the brink of meltdown.
Aziz Pahad said it was now difficult to see how the country could avoid a complete collapse.

South Africa has come under pressure from the West over its reluctance to voice criticism of Zimbabwe.

But the authorities have insisted there is no alternative to its approach of quiet diplomacy towards Robert Mugabe.