Maravi

Zimbabwe could have Cabinet by Thursday, says Chinamasa

Zimbabwe could have Cabinet by Thursday, says Chinamasa
By Kingsley Kaswende in Harare
Friday September 19, 2008 [04:00]

ZIMBABWEAN political parties yesterday met to share the inclusive Cabinet posts but the office bearers may begin work next week without being sworn-in. Former justice minister Patrick Chinamasa told state television that the three parties involved could have a Cabinet by the end of Thursday. He said the Cabinet would be announced soon but the new office bearers would only be sworn-in after the constitutional changes were effected beginning next month.

However, he said Cabinet might begin work without a formal swearing-in ceremony, pending the constitutional amendments.

The meeting on allotting Cabinet posts had been expected on Tuesday, but was delayed while President Robert Mugabe met senior members of his party.

Chinamasa said the key aspects of the power-sharing deal would not go into effect until next month after Parliament effects the constitutional changes accommodating the new posts.

Zimbabwe’s constitution needs to be changed to create the post of Prime Minister, which is to be filled by Morgan Tsvangirai. Under the power-sharing deal, Mugabe remains President.

"These amendments would be tabled before Parliament when it opens next month," Chinamasa said, adding that there would be no move to open Parliament before October 14 as originally planned.
On Wednesday, President Mugabe told senior members of his party that the power-sharing deal with the MDC rivals was a "humiliation" that would have to be accepted because the party lost the March elections.

He was shown on state television addressing the meeting, which was called to prepare for dividing the Cabinet among ZANU-PF and two opposition factions as stipulated in a deal signed on Monday.

More than half of the Cabinet would have to lose their seats to make room for the opposition.

"If only we had not blundered in the March elections, we wouldn't be facing this humiliation," said President Mugabe. "This is what we have to deal with."

Labels: CABINET, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 4:30 AM