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(HERALD) Zanu-PF, MDC slam violence

Zanu-PF, MDC slam violence
Herald Reporter

Negotiators from Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations yesterday issued their first joint statement, condemning politically-motivated violence and urging their supporters to avoid it. They denounced political violence and said it should never be used as a political tool. But the negotiators have yet to reach a final agreement, South African government officials said yesterday, dismissing speculation in that country’s media.

The joint statement follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed by leaders of the three parties on July 21, paving way for full-scale talks between the respective parties.

The three parties committed themselves to the maintenance of peace in the country and condemned violence, saying it was harmful to their supporters.

"The parties, acknowledging that violence that is attributable to us and which has been injurious to national and human security, has, indeed, occurred in the country after the 29 March, 2008 harmonised elections, hereby call upon all our supporters and members and any organs and structures under the direction and control of our respective parties to stop and desist the perpetration of violence in any form," read the statement, made available yesterday.

"We, further, reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the law is applied fairly and justly to all persons irrespective of political affiliation, to take all necessary measures within our power to eliminate all forms of political violence, including by non-State actors, and to ensure the security of persons and property and provide support to victims of violence."

After the March 29 elections and in the run-up to the June 27 presidential election run-off, supporters from both parties were involved in skirmishes that left some injured and homeless.

The parties committed themselves to ensuring the safe return of people who might have fled their homes at the height of the violence.

"The parties express their readiness to work individually and together in the ongoing dialogue to make public undertakings in ensuring the safety of any displaced persons and their safe return home and to enable humanitarian and social welfare organisations to render such assistance as might be required," said the negotiators.

Zanu-PF is being represented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, and the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Cde Nicholas Goche.

Secretary-general Tendai Biti and deputy national treasurer Elton Mangoma are the MDC-T negotiators, while MDC is being represented by secretary-general Welshman Ncube and his deputy Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga.

The talks are being facilitated by South African President Thabo Mbeki, who was appointed mediator by Sadc with the backing of the African Union in the negotiations designed to find a lasting solution to the political and economic challenges facing Zimbabwe.

A senior South African government official has dismissed speculation that representatives of Zimbabwe’s main political parties had reached an agreement, saying the negotiators would only make a public statement when the talks are concluded.

Mr Mukoni Ratshitanga, the spokesman for President Mbeki, yesterday said the parties were sticking to an agreement not to discuss the talks in the media.

"We have an agreement not to talk to the media about the dialogue. There are so many speculations about the talks and we would not join in doing that.

"When the time is right, we will definitely say something," he said.

Parties to the negotiations agreed in the MoU that "none of the parties shall, during the dialogue period, directly or indirectly communicate the substance of the discussion with the media".

The signatories also pledged to refrain from negotiating through the media, whether through their representatives to the dialogue or party officials.

Mr Ratshitanga’s statement comes after South African newspapers, Western news agencies and several online wires claimed that parties to the negotiations had come up with a draft arrangement to be submitted to the principals in Zimbabwe.

A United Nations spokesperson, Michele Montas, said Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Haile Menkerios was in South Africa to check on progress being made in the talks.

Menkerios is part of a reference group along with AU Commission chairman Jean Ping that Mr Mbeki as the mediator invited to monitor progress in the Sadc-facilitated dialogue.

There has been a slight delay in reaching a final agreement after party representatives returned to Zimbabwe last week to brief their principals on progress made, while President Mbeki — who is facilitating the dialogue — also flew into the country to personally brief President Mugabe and MDC leader Arthur Mutambara.

The talks resumed on Sunday with negotiators holding preliminary discussions in preparation for extensive talks, which began on Tuesday.

President Mugabe last week reiterated Zanu-PF’s willingness to see through the negotiating process while MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai said he was satisfied with progress made during the talks.

The talks have been endorsed by both the AU and Sadc while the Non Aligned Movement also threw its weight behind the negotiations.

Labels: MDC, MDC VIOLENCE, MoU, ZANU-PF

posted by MrK @ 8:24 AM