ZAPU leader says crisis talks should not be secret

By Tichaona Sibanda
13 April 2007

Outspoken Zapu leader Paul Siwela on Friday said it would be useless for the MDC to engage Zanu (PF) in any talks if they go to the negotiating table as underdogs.

Siwela added that it would be pointless also to agree to talks where terms will be dictated to the opposition, as this will guarantee certain victory for Robert Mugabe and his Zanu (PF) in negotiations. He called for open dialogue as this would be in the interest of every Zimbabwean.

‘But before the talks, Zimbabweans should be made aware of the agenda so that people will be able to evaluate whether they are meaningful or not because its likely it would be used to buy time for Mugabe,’ Siwela said.

President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa said he has already started the dialogue process by inviting senior opposition figures from the MDC for talks with his ministers in Pretoria. He has also written letters to Mugabe and opposition leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara.

But Siwela said if people of Zimbabwe are to be taken serious by leaders of the Southern African Development Community and Thabo Mbeki specifically, they had to use this window of opportunity.

Asked to elaborate, Siwela said; ‘If people want to unlock that door to give us freedom, independence, democracy and good governance, then they should abandon the normal way.’ Pressed further to explain what he meant, the fiery Zapu leader said other people have sacrificed their lives to fight for their rights, and ‘it is high time other people did the same.’

‘What I am saying basically is there is a word called revolution. It’s difficult to comprehend the word but it’s unfortunate that Zimbabweans are being pushed towards that direction,’ he said.

He said the SADC initiative has started off badly because SADC executive secretary Tomaz Salomao has hopped into bed with the regime by pledging the regional bloc’s support in calling for an end to targeted sanctions against Robert Mugabe and his top officials in government.

‘Instead of censuring Mugabe openly about the brutal continuation of the suppression of opposition activists, the regional bloc wants the west to lift sanctions against Mugabe, but has he changed his ways?’ Asked Siwela.

Siwela said if he gets the opportunity to speak to MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai in Bulawayo this weekend he will brief him of what he thinks about the proposed talks.

‘Never should they be afraid of Mugabe. And never should they trust Mbeki because if they do so, it would be the end game for the opposition in the country,’ he said.