Maravi

Sadc leaders, Western envoys warn Tsvangirai

Sadc leaders, Western envoys warn Tsvangirai
Posted: Monday, March 28, 2011 11:13 am

PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's thinly veiled retraction of his statement attacking the judiciary came after western diplomats and regional leaders warned him that he was indeed in contempt of court, the Zimbabwe Guardian has learnt.

Tsvangirai criticised Supreme Court judges for overturning a high court judgment reinstating the MDC-T Speaker of parliament, Lovemore Moyo and called them " “Zanu PF politicians masquerading as judges".

Tsvangirai -- who had initially refused to withdraw his comments and threatened to withdraw from the inclusive Government said his misguided statements were "spontaneous statements made in anger" after the Supreme Court ruling nullifying the election of Moyo, as Speaker of the House of Assembly.

"The comments were not meant to undermine the judiciary and should not be taken out of context," read part of his statement, although he did not indicate what new "context" he was referring to.

An official in the MDC-T who requested anonymity told the Zimbabwe Guardian Monday that Tsvangirai had been warned by Ian Khama that his statement was illegal and he had to retract it.

"Prime Minister was warned that his statement undermined the judiciary and it was wise for him to quickly retract it before charges are levelled against him," said our source.

"The retraction came after that meeting, where they discussed many other issues concerning the progress made by the inclusive Government."

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Tsvangirai was also warned by western diplomats whom he met privately after his trip to the region who "told him uncertain terms that undermining the judiciary would come at a price for the MDC", added our source.

It is not clear which western diplomat(s) warned the PM, but he is reported to have met secretly with the French and British ambassadors last week.

The officiail also told us that Tsvangirai had sought South African President Jacob Zuma's private mediation to avoid being arrested for contempt of court charges, when it became clear that the Attorney General was preparing papers for his arrest.

Tsvangirai had promised to lodge an apology with the Supreme Court. He has still not written that apology.

Labels: JUDICIARY, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI

posted by MrK @ 1:20 AM