[2] In the 2007 Zimbabwean political crisis, South African President Thabo Mbeki mediated with the MDC and ZANU–PF to form a unity government, and often remained silent on the issues in Zimbabwe, which drew criticism.

[5] Following the disputed Zimbabwean presidential election of 2002, in which Mugabe was re-elected, the South African observer mission was among a minority of international delegations which concluded that the result should be viewed as "legitimate.

[8] Directly contradicting the conclusions of the observer mission, the report documented widespread political intimidation and other anti-democratic behaviours by ZANU-PF, and found that the election "cannot be considered free and fair.

Indeed, the SADC mission, led by South African Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, congratulated Zimbabwe on what it said had been "peaceful, credible, well managed and transparent" elections and on the "high levels of political tolerance and maturity displayed.

In response to the government mission's endorsement of the results of the elections, Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), apparently effectively severed relations with Mbeki's administration.