S Africa rules out "smart" sanctions in Zimbabwe

CAPE TOWN, May 29 (Reuters) South Africa ruled out imposing ''smart'' sanctions against neighbouring Zimbabwe today, saying similar measures taken by the European Union had not brought any results, a top minister said.

South African Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma told parliament the issues in Zimbabwe remained a challenge but reiterated that it was up to the people of that country to solve its problems.

Asked if South Africa should not take stronger action, such as targeted sanctions against Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's government, she said those imposed by the EU had failed.

''It may not be a very useful tool to use right now because it doesn't seem to be yielding results, even in the hands of the most powerful block in the world,'' Dlamini Zuma said.

The United States and the EU have imposed travel and business restrictions against Mugabe and other top government officials.

Zimbabwe's worst economic crisis since independence in 1980 has been blamed on the policies of Mugabe and the ruling ZANU-PF. The long-standing ruler has also been accused of human rights violations and rigging elections to stay in power.

The veteran Zimbabwean leader denies allegations of repression and mismanagement, and in turn accuses domestic and Western opponents of demonising him and sabotaging the economy over his seizures of white-owned farms.

Dlamini Zuma said no one could force Zimbabwe to change its policies.

''There is a problem, there is a challenge but I do not have all the answers about how to solve Zimbabwe. I think equally none of us has all the answers. The answers do lie in the Zimbabweans' hands,'' she said.

''Even if we wanted Zimbabwe to go this way, I don't think we have a tool of forcing them to go that way.'' Critics say South African President Thabo Mbeki's policy of ''quiet diplomacy'' towards Mugabe has failed, and have urged the government to take stronger measures.

REUTERS CH HS2242