SA opposition says Mbeki’s pre-conditions for talks unfair to MDC

By Tererai Karimakwenda
29 May 2007

South Africa’s main opposition party the Democratic Alliance (DA) has criticised the pre-conditions for talks that President Thabo Mbeki is reported to have placed on Zimbabwe’s opposition. Mbeki was appointed the regional mediator on the Zimbabwe crisis by the SADC Heads of State last month and has so far put together mediation teams from South Africa and Zimbabwe. But last week there were reports that Zimbabwe’s Minister of Rural Housing Emmerson Mnangagwa, had bragged in parliament about the free rein President Mbeki had given to Robert Mugabe. Three pre-conditions were placed on the Movement for Democratic Change and no conditions were given to Robert Mugabe and ZANU-PF.

The DA claims that Mbeki wants the MDC to recognise that Mugabe is the president of Zimbabwe, accept the results of the 2002 presidential elections and denounce violence. Only then can an enabling environment for talks be created. The DA spokesperson for Africa, MP Joe Seramane, described this development as unfair, saying it jeopardizes the mediation process because it is not even-handed. He said: “Mbeki is not getting it right because it contradicts the intention and spirit of NEPAD.”

Regarding the MDC’s acceptance of Mugabe’s presidency and elections, Seremane said the elections that brought Mugabe to power were not free and fair. The MDC have also maintained that Mugabe is not Zimbabwe’s legitimate president. The DA MP said if elections are a grievance for the MDC they should be allowed to bring that to the negotiating table, not be ordered to accept it as a pre-condition. As for the violence which Mbeki wants the MDC to denounce, Seremane said: “What is good for the goose is good for the gander and all parties must cease the violence.”

There has also been a lot of secrecy surrounding the mediation process, with the MDC and ZANU-PF officials refusing to make any public pronouncements about any progress being made. Seremane said transparency is key and Mbeki cannot rationalize his silence. “There should be weekly briefings,” he said “and the public must not be allowed to speculate.”

A statement released by the DA said in part: “The situation in Zimbabwe cannot be turned around if the opposition is forced to accept and adhere to an undemocratic election and the whims of an undemocratic and dictatorial leader. If Zimbabwe is to reestablish democracy then both sides must commit to democratic principles and practice. That involves a new election, which is free and fair, and an end to the abuse of state resources by President Mugabe to crush any opposition to him, whether it comes from other political parties, the media or civil society.”