Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgani Tsvangirai (pictured) arrived in South Africa on Friday for talks with President Jacob Zuma about widening cracks in Zimbabwes inclusive government, headed by ageing President Robert Mugabe.Tensions between Tsvangirais MDC and Mugabes Zanu-PF have hit breaking point over control of the security forces, including key appointments such as the Reserve Bank governor and the attorney-general.
Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, has made it clear that he will not reverse the appointments of Gideon Gono and Johannes Tomana as the Reserve Bank governor and attorney-general, respectively.
According to the MDC , all levers of state power have completely shifted into Mugabes hands while security chiefs also refuse to recognise Tsvangirais authority.
The director-general of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation, Ayanda Ntsaluba, has confirmed that Tsvangirai requested to speak to Zuma about a few outstanding issues in the unity government.
Im sure that our president, as chair of SADC, is also concerned about making sure that these issues are addressed speedily before they derail the process, said Ntsaluba.
On Friday, Tsvangirais spokesman, James Madidi, confirmed to the Sunday Times that the prime minister was in the country for talks with Zuma, but declined to say where and when the meeting would be held.
The meeting will deal with sticky issues of the unity government such as the appointments of the Reserve Bank governor and attorney-general , said Madidi.
He will further brief President Zuma on the state of the nation the economy, health matters and other socioeconomic issues affecting Zimbabweans.
The meeting between Tsvangirai and Zuma comes as tensions continue to grow between the MDC and Zanu(PF) in Zimbabwe.
On Monday Zimbabwes minister of finance, Tendai Biti, received a letter with a bullet inside after he presented his mid-term fiscal policy in which he emphasised the need for officials to reduce their expenditure.
The next day another senior MDC official, deputy minister for youth affairs Thamsanqa Mahlangu, was arrested for allegedly stealing a cellphone a charge dismissed by the MDC as a set-up.
Sunday Times (SA)
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