Why does Mbeki support Mugabe?

Thabo Mbeki is supposedly the 'mediator' in Zimbabwe. Surely no one believes he is mediating between ZanuPF and the MDC? Rather he is Robert Mugabe's representative on earth, mediating between him and the civilised world, telling the civilised world there is no need to be concerned about events in Zimbabwe.

Thabo Mbeki is the Comical Ali of southern Africa. But it's not funny at all.

Commentators have been puzzling over why Mbeki supports Mugabe unfailingly. The blithe amorality is breathtaking but it seems to be common currency among southern African heads of government. They are all diminished by it.

Kofi Annan wants African action, along the lines of Kenya.

On the question of Zimbabwe there has been substantial international attention.

The question which has been posed is: where are the Africans? Where are their leaders and the countries in the region, what are they doing?

It is a rather dangerous situation. It's a serious crisis with impact beyond Zimbabwe.

What of Mbeki? In his own country a Chinese ship carrying arms to Zimbabwe has left port after workers would not unload it and a court refused to allow the weapons on board to be transported across the country. For Jacob Zuma, advocacy of a more active stance is a cost-free way for him to differentiate himself further from Mbeki.

One could say that Mbeki in government has managed to combine rigidity with spinelessness. And his indifference reflects the views of his opposite numbers in the region.

But maybe they take their lead from him. Maybe he is protecting Mugabe from them voicing concern. Why would he do that?

One explanation is that 'Robert Mugabe knew my father'. They were in liberation struggles at the same time, and the son looks up to his father's friend.

An indirect South African contact has also suggested that there is an extended family relationship. Maybe this is just an urban rumour, as they weren't precise. The suggestion was that a relation of Mbeki might be married to a relative of Mugabe, making Mugabe head of the extended family, and perhaps that much harder to speak out against.

Anyone know if this is true? Are Mbeki and Mugabe by any chance related?