Talks to continue over the weekend

By Tichaona Sibanda
4 December 2009

Talks to resolve outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement will continue over the weekend, amid reports the government will make an ‘important announcement’ next week.

Speculation is rife in Harare that the principals might have agreed on the final composition of candidates to sit on the various commissions meant to reshape and democratize the country’s political arena.

Inter-party negotiators have been meeting in Harare this week and it’s believed have covered much ground around the list of 27 items on their agenda. The Zimbabwe Independent reported on Friday that the negotiators have discussed 15 items and have reached consensus on 12 of them.

The push to conclude the negotiations is reportedly coming from Jacob Zuma, the South African president who is the new facilitator in the talks. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who is currently visiting South Africa, spoke to journalists in Cape Town on Thursday; ‘I want to assure you there is progress,’ Tsvangirai said, adding that negotiations covered the positions of central bank Governor Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana.

Our Harare correspondent Simon Muchemwa told us there is one major problem being faced by journalists chasing the story. There is a media blackout and journalists are having to report on hearsay.

‘What is happening is the talks will continue throughout the weekend and if there is a breakthrough, I understand Zuma will fly to Harare to be briefed on the outcome. If they fail to agree or resolve the outstanding issues, then I understand Zuma will send his facilitation team again next week to get an update,’ our source told us.

There are rising concerns from human rights defenders that the attorney-general’s office continues to abuse its authority by selectively applying the law to prosecute people with links to the MDC and chooses to ignore perpetrators of violence from ZANU PF supporters.

Recently the child of MDC MP for Gutu North Edmore Hamandishe Maramwidze was viciously assaulted because of his father’s position in the MDC.

Takunda Judah Hamandishe Maramwidze, a Grade 5 pupil at Hwiru Primary School, was beaten up after an argument with a school mate on their way home.

According to the Changing Times, the weekly MDC newsletter, a woman teacher at the school, identified as Mrs. Madzingo, wife to the losing ZANU PF councillor for Ward 33, ordered the beating of Takunda.

And despite the hopes that surround the latest round of talks, media repression still continues with no change. In Victoria Falls, police detained three people for reading the popular MDC newsletter. Simbarashe Kushanda from Emakhandeni in Bulawayo, together with a man identified only as Mr. Mbano and a woman known as Ms. Khumalo were detained for more than 8 hours at Victoria Falls Police Station on Monday.

The Changing Times said the three were stopped at the Victoria Falls/ Zambia border post by state security agents who saw them in possession of the newsletter.