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(TALKZIMBABWE) Tsvangirai deliberately derailing talks: Zanu PF

COMMENT - Why stop at the 1980s? Why not bring to justice those who committed atrocities under Ian Smith, such as Roy Bennett, and all these prominent Rhodesian members of the MDC?

Tsvangirai deliberately derailing talks: Zanu PF
Ranganai Chidemo
Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:37:00 +0000

THE ruling Zanu PF party has accused the Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai for trying to deliberately derail the power-sharing talks by concentrating on issues that are not currently under debate in the power-sharing talks.

The MDC leader over the weekend called for a truth commission to examine massacres in the country’s Matabeleland and Midlands provinces in the 1980s saying perpetrators should be brought to justice.

"This country has gone through a lot of traumatic experiences," Tsvangirai said at the launch of a video on the 1980s atrocities.

"What we have to accept is that in order to heal there must be justice, and in order to have justice there must be truth," Tsvangirai said at the weekend.

Information and Publicity Minister, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu questioned the motive behind the MDC leader’s statement and accused him of reintroducing a controversial debate when power-sharing talks are taking place.

“It looks like he is against the spirit of the agreement,” said Ndlovu, adding that “Instead of concentrating on forming an inclusive government he (Tsvangirai) is dabbling in peripheral issues.”

Ndlovu continued: “The President (Mugabe) has said that history was a sad moment in the past which is regrettable.

The minister said the MDC leader is stalling the talks each time an agreement is about to be reached which is evidence that he was not sincere in his call for a power-sharing arrangement to obtain in Zimbabwe.

“Zimbabweans want a new government and not populism,” said Ndlovu accusing the MDC leader for negotiating in the media against the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Zanu PF and the two MDC formations.

"We have seen him (Tsvangirai) use these tactics each time the negotiating parties come closer to a deal. This looks like an attempt on his part to derail the power-sharing agreement," added the minister who also accussed Tsvangirai of reflecting the position of the West on Zimbabwe each time the talks are stalled.

Power-sharing talks are continuing between the two formations of the MDC and Zanu PF.

The talks were deadlocked over control of the home affairs ministry, which oversees the police.

Meanwhile the MDC leader told a rally in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second largest city, that he would be attending an Extraordinary Summit of the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) called by the Organ for Politics, Security and Defence, to try and break the deadlock between Zanu PF and the two MDCs.

The MDC Secretary General, Tendai Biti had said the MDC leader would not be travelling anywhere if he was not granted a passport. However, Tsvangirai said he would not be deterred by anyone (or anything) in travelling anywhere he wanted.

The extraordinary Sadc summit is likely to be held in South Africa.

South African President Kgalema Motlanthe currently chairs the regional body and will also chair the extraordinary summit whose date is yet to be announced.

Labels: MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, NEGOTIATIONS

posted by MrK @ 4:00 AM