SA mediators say MDC-ZANU PF still talking

By Lance Guma
28 July 2008

South African mediators claim talks between the MDC and ZANU PF were making progress. Mukoni Ratshitanga, a spokesman for President Thabo Mbeki, said both parties aimed to conclude the talks in 2 weeks time and that so far ‘the talks are proceeding well.’ Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara, the negotiators are not allowed to leak information to the media. This has meant all reporting on the talks is speculative, but it is know that the MDC want a transitional authority that creates the framework for fresh elections, while ZANU PF is pushing for a unity government.

Only last week sources claimed the negotiators were on the verge of a deal making Mugabe a titular head of state without any powers, with Tsvangirai coming in as Executive Prime Minister. The cabinet would be split equally between ZANU PF and the MDC, while the Mutambara MDC got 1 cabinet post. It was also said this government would run the country for 2 years and oversee a new constitution leading to fresh elections. ZANU PF however was said to be stalling at the idea of Mugabe wielding no powers. What the eventual structure of the agreement will be, remains to be seen.

Commenting on the talks, the Global Zimbabwe Forum have added their weight to calls for the mediation process to be broadened to include all stakeholders. Although they welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between ZANU PF and the MDC, the forum is worried the talks will result in unilateral amendments to the constitution without consultation. The Forum also said issues affecting people in the diaspora, such as dual citizenship and voting rights, among other issues, needed to be addressed. They also said any final deal between ZANU PF and the MDC should be endorsed by an all inclusive national conference.

Meanwhile South African newspapers were ablaze with the story of how delegates to the power sharing talks were not happy with their accommodation at the Ingwenya Country Escape hotel in South Africa. Reports say the hotel cost South African taxpayers R750 000 to book exclusively for the Zimbabwean negotiators. It’s not clear who amongst the delegates raised the complaints. They are said to have demanded rooms that had mini-bars and were unhappy that the venue was three, as opposed to five stars. The delegation were moved after 24 hours to a hotel more ‘suitable.’ Most people interviewed by Newsreel said the delegates complaints were an insult to the suffering people in Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile the Cape Argus newspaper is claiming that Tsvangirai and Mugabe are talking in Harare, through intermediaries. The report says decision taken here will feed into the talks taking place in Pretoria. One source said the ‘real talks’ were taking place in Zimbabwe. Morgan Tsvangirai’s spokesman has denied these reports, but with a media blackout in place it’s impossible to find the truth.