According to a friend in SA, it is widely alleged there that Mugabe has given Mbeki a diamond mine in neighbouring DRC, which might just explain why Mbeki has been so reluctant to criticise Mugabe. South Africans are disgusted with their president.
Things will get interesting next year when Jacob Zuma takes over in SA because his tribal background is Matabele. Mugabe who is Mashona, kicked out the Matableles from Zimbabwe so Zuma is publicly rubbing his hands with glee at the prospect of getting his revenge. Mugabe's thugs need to keep him in power to protect themselves, now that their overseas assets have been frozen and travel denied. As I said, things will become interesting.
The media here never mention the tribal background, which hovers in the wings of any African farce; it's too sensitive in these PC times.