the due process of law.” However beneath the apparent calm of the SADC statement, more critical voices were emerging against the mediation approach of President Mbeki. The Botswana Foreign Minister Phandu Skelemani commented on the concern of SADC members over the Zimbabwe issue at the Lusaka summit: Everyone agreed that things are not normal, except Mbeki. Maybe Mbeki is so deeply involved that he firmly believes things are going right. But now he understands that the rest of SADC feels this is a matter of urgency and we are risking lives and limbs being lost. He got that message clearly. 34 Morgan Tsvangirai, who attend the meeting as part of a campaign to lobby the African continent on the problems around the election, called on President Mbeki “to be relieved of his duties”, and suggested that Zambian President Mwanawasa lead “ a new initiative due to the urgent situation in Zimbabwe based on the violence intimidation and changing electoral conditions.” 35 Within the ANC Alliance itself, reflecting the shift of power in the ANC after the election of a new President and leadership at the Polokwane Conference in December 2007 and the long-standing criticisms of the Mugabe regime by COSATU, more critical voices became apparent on the Zimbabwe question. The new ANC President Jacob Zuma observed of the March elections that he did not think that “it is acceptable in a democratic system that if you lose an election you can stay on by force.” 36 The Speaker of the South African National Assembly, Baleka Mbete told parliamentarians at the 118th IPU Assembly that they could not remain silent about Zimbabwe’s “democratic process that has gone wrong.” 37 Additionally the ANC national spokesperson Jesse Duarte commented: The ANC regards ZANU PF as an ally. However, it regards the situation in Zimbabwe as a crisis with negative consequences for the SADC region. 38 While the new critical voices emerging in SADC and the ANC were a significant development on the Zimbabwe question, a more dramatic development was taking place within the civic movement in the region. In April 2008 a Chinese ship the, An Yue Jiang, attempted to unload its 77 tons of cargo made up of 3 million rounds of AK47 ammunition, 1500 rockets and the 3000 mortar shells at Durban harbour. The South African Litigation Centre launched a court action on behalf of Bishop Rubin Phillip, Chair of the Solidarity Peace Trust, to prevent the cargo from being unloaded. Moreover the South African Trade and Allied Workers Union instructed its workers not to handle the cargo. In an incredible show of solidarity dock workers in the region, backed by international workers federations and NGOs, refused to handle the cargo in other maritime countries in SADC. This call was also backed by the SADC Chair President Mwanawasa who came out strongly against the shipment. Cosatu’s provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich, called this action “a great victory for working people and for workers acting in defence of workers and the working class in Zimbabwe.” 39 In a further show of solidarity against the Mugabe regime 105 representatives from 21 African countries, met in Dar es Salaam on the 21st April 2008 and amongst other resolutions stated that: • ..the electoral crisis be resolved through a political settlement that reflects the will of the people as expressed on the 29th March 2008. 34 Mandy Rossouw and Jason Moyo, “Botswana raps ‘no crisis’ Mbeki.” Mail and Guardian, 18-24 April 2008. Hopewell Radebe, “Tsvangirai wwants Mbeki to quit talks.” Business Day, 18TH April 2008. 36 Jeremy Kuper, “Zuma defines by contrast.” Mail and Guardian 25th April to 1st May 2008. 37 Angela Quintal, “Mbete says world cannot remain silent on Zimbabwe’s failed ‘democratic process.’ “ Cape Times. 14/04/08. 38 Christelle Terblanche, “Yes, there is a crisis in Zimbabwe, says ANC.” Cape Times, 15/04/08. 39 Natasha Joseph and Hans Pienaar, “Zimbabwe arms ship offloads cement in Luanda-not arms.” Cape Times 07/05/08. 35 17