South Africa Foreign Relations Zimbabwe

A 27-year-old white woman who infiltrated the African National Congress for her native South Africa was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison on spy charges. Odile Harington, an arts graduate and daughter of a Johannesburg doctor, bit her lip but showed no other emotion when sentenced. "The most appropriate sentence in a case such as this is in my view the death penalty," said High Court Judge Wilson Sandura. The judge refused to allow her to appeal the sentence, the maximum under Zimbabwe law.

President Thabo Mbeki on Thursday expressed doubts that free and fair elections can be held in Zimbabwe, South Africa's northern neighbor, and he voiced concern that a flawed presidential vote could plunge that violence-torn country into greater turmoil.

Not long after Ian D. Smith relinquished control of his resilient little anti-Communist, white-ruled country to the black majority, a newcomer moved in next door to his suburban Harare home--the Cuban Embassy. Smith now uses the embassy sign out by the main road to give directions to his house. "At least they're good for something," he said recently. "We didn't have embassies all over the globe when I was prime minister," he added.

Black nationalist leader Nelson R. Mandela flew to Zimbabwe on Sunday on the second leg of a foreign tour, but aides concerned about his ability to maintain the grueling pace scaled back his schedule. Mandela received a red-carpet welcome from President Robert Mugabe, who hugged the recently freed prisoner as he stepped off a Zambian Airways flight from Lusaka. Mugabe then led him through a reception line that took nearly an hour to traverse.

Former Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith was suspended for one year from Zimbabwe's Parliament because of statements he made in Johannesburg opposing economic sanctions against South Africa. After stormy debate, the Parliament voted 38 to 10 for a government-sponsored motion to suspend Smith, who defended his right to criticize Prime Minister Robert Mugabe's government.

President Thabo Mbeki on Thursday expressed doubts that free and fair elections can be held in Zimbabwe, South Africa's northern neighbor, and he voiced concern that a flawed presidential vote could plunge that violence-torn country into greater turmoil.

Black nationalist leader Nelson R. Mandela flew to Zimbabwe on Sunday on the second leg of a foreign tour, but aides concerned about his ability to maintain the grueling pace scaled back his schedule. Mandela received a red-carpet welcome from President Robert Mugabe, who hugged the recently freed prisoner as he stepped off a Zambian Airways flight from Lusaka. Mugabe then led him through a reception line that took nearly an hour to traverse.

African National Congress leader Nelson R. Mandela met Tuesday with chiefs from his tribe and with a Swedish diplomat, and plans were made for him to travel to Zimbabwe and Zambia next week. The National Reception Committee, which has coordinated Mandela's schedule since he was released Feb. 11 after 27 years in prison, said he will go to Harare, Zimbabwe, on Monday. On Tuesday, he will go to Lusaka, Zambia, where he will meet with exiled ANC leaders.

African National Congress leader Nelson R. Mandela met Tuesday with chiefs from his tribe and with a Swedish diplomat, and plans were made for him to travel to Zimbabwe and Zambia next week. The National Reception Committee, which has coordinated Mandela's schedule since he was released Feb. 11 after 27 years in prison, said he will go to Harare, Zimbabwe, on Monday. On Tuesday, he will go to Lusaka, Zambia, where he will meet with exiled ANC leaders.

A 27-year-old white woman who infiltrated the African National Congress for her native South Africa was sentenced Friday to 25 years in prison on spy charges. Odile Harington, an arts graduate and daughter of a Johannesburg doctor, bit her lip but showed no other emotion when sentenced. "The most appropriate sentence in a case such as this is in my view the death penalty," said High Court Judge Wilson Sandura. The judge refused to allow her to appeal the sentence, the maximum under Zimbabwe law.

Not long after Ian D. Smith relinquished control of his resilient little anti-Communist, white-ruled country to the black majority, a newcomer moved in next door to his suburban Harare home--the Cuban Embassy. Smith now uses the embassy sign out by the main road to give directions to his house. "At least they're good for something," he said recently. "We didn't have embassies all over the globe when I was prime minister," he added.

Ian Smith, former prime minister of white-ruled Rhodesia, resigned as head of the white opposition party he has led since the country became independent Zimbabwe under black rule in 1980. But Smith, 68, said he will continue to be active in politics. Smith said he is quitting the party leadership because of the government's "vindictive action" over his remarks in South Africa opposing sanctions against Pretoria.