Zuma says Zim leaders agree to a ‘package of measures’

By Violet Gonda
18 March 2010

South African President Jacob Zuma concluded his two day visit to Zimbabwe on Thursday. He held a press briefing in Harare in which he said the rival political parties had agreed to a package of measures that would be implemented ‘as per the decision of the SADC Troika in Maputo’.

In November last year the parties agreed at the summit of the Troika in Maputo to urge the international community to lift all forms of sanctions on Zimbabwe, and to engage in dialogue about all the outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement.

So it is unclear what ‘package of measures’ have been agreed to, Zuma did not provide any clarity and journalists were not allowed to ask any questions.

Zuma merely told journalists that these ‘measures’ are likely to take the process forward substantially. “The leaders have instructed their negotiating teams to attend to all outstanding matters during their deliberations on 25, 26, and 29 March and to report to the facilitator by the 31st of March,” President Zuma said.

A comprehensive progress report is then expected to be tabled before the Chairperson of the SADC Troika, Armando Guebuza of Mozambique.

Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa said during the media briefing President Zuma was flanked by Robert Mugabe, Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara. He said: “Unfortunately journalists were not allowed to even ask questions which will seek clarity to the statements given by Zuma.”

“The media was left with so many questions unanswered and that is the reason why so many people were left disappointed because its not known what has been agreed upon; what criteria they are going to use and which sticky issues they are going to centre on come March 31st.

Analysts expressed disappointment that Zuma, president of a democratic country that had fought hard for media freedom, apparently feels it is not important in the case of Zimbabwe.

On Wednesday the South Africa President also met with MDC-T Deputy Minister of Agriculture designate Roy Bennett, Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana.

Bennett told SW Radio Africa on Thursday that he had a ‘very good’ meeting with Zuma. He said the two of them had a general discussion around the major issues affecting the GPA and the state of affairs in Zimbabwe.

“It was obvious that he (Zuma) was concerned about how to move Zimbabwe forward to a conclusion and bring legitimacy and democracy back to Zimbabwe,” said Bennett.

He added that Zuma made it clear that he wants all issues to be resolved and move forward in a manner that will not bring violence, but allow for free and fair elections. He also said; ‘Once the timelines have expired within the GPA and we have a new constitution then we move forward to elections. Our National Council took a resolution that elections should be no later than May 2011.”

The MDC official said they did not discuss his terrorism trial and that he could not comment on some news reports that said a compromise had been reached by the rival parties which would see the Central Bank governor retaining his controversial post and the Attorney General stepping down.