South Africa rejects Zim sanctions

South Africa ruled out imposing "smart" sanctions against neighbouring Zimbabwe, saying similar measures taken by the European Union had not brought any results, a top minister said.....

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.