Mbeki to hold talks with Zimbabwe’s military junta

Party officials told Newsreel

Tuesday that Mbeki will most likely have to engage in talks with members of

the Joint Operations Command (JOC) who, under Emerson Mnangagwa, led the

wave of political violence that killed over 120 MDC activists and has

injured and tortured tens of thousands since the March 29 poll. The grouping

of military, police, prison and spy chiefs have vowed never to serve under

Tsvangirai, worried a new government will leave them open to prosecution.

 

MDC negotiators expressed concern that any deal thrashed out might come to

nothing if the security chiefs are not brought onboard. With sources saying

the MDC might be given the Home Affairs Ministry in a new government

analysts have interpreted the alleged bomb blast at Harare Central Police

station as a reminder of the power wielded by members of the JOC. Some media

outlets speculating on the blast have blamed a faction within Zanu PF led by

Mnangagwa, who are said to be unhappy at the concessions being made at the

talks. Speculation is rife the attack might have been an attempt to scuttle

the talks.

 

It is against this background that Mbeki will ultimately have to engage this

rogue group of security people. It is conceivable they could over-rule

Mugabe, should they choose to. The same individuals helped save his skin

after the March 29 electoral defeat to Tsvangirai and the Zanu PF leader is

only too aware of that.

 

Zimbabweans seem to have to deal with confusion about everything, from two

currencies circulating at the same time to a mass of confusing information

coming out of the talks.

 

Reports have suggested Mugabe will become a ceremonial President and retain

two Vice Presidents in Joseph Msika and Joyce Mujuru. Tsvangirai will become

Executive Prime Minister, with Zanu PF’s Emerson Mnangagwa and MDC second in

command Thokozani Kuphe becoming the two deputy Prime Ministers. There was

even a suggestion there could be a 3rd Vice President added to the mix. That

would mean an incredible 6 leaders for the country. A senior MDC official

dismissed this speculation as nonsense, adding that Zanu PF officials were

throwing false stories to the media to deliberately confuse people.

 

There is growing concern Mbeki might be trying to rush through a deal so as

to present his mediation as a success before the August 16th  SADC summit

set for South Africa. Mbeki will also be assuming the Presidency of the

grouping and would rather have resolved the crisis by then than have to

supervise his own work. Zwelinzima Vavi, the head of South Africa’s main

labour union COSATU, has already warned they will call for a demonstration

next week, on the eve of the summit, if a deal is not concluded. The

Botswana government has also made it clear they will boycott the summit if

Mugabe is still President by virtue of a flawed process.

SWRadio Africa