President Jacob Zumas thinking on Zimbabwe is confused. He is sending contradicting messages. On the one hand he says failure by all parties to implement the GPA could scupper progress and endanger future elections.
Unless we implement, it could jeopardise what needs to be done, especially the final point which is elections. Tensions could mount and the atmosphere would not be conducive, he told the South Africa media before he left for Harare this week.
Hello! Tensions have been high for a very long time. Zanu (PF) has publicly stated that it will not implement the full terms of the agreement until the MDC has campaigned successfully in international forums for the lifting of targeted measures against Zanu (PF) officials and companies.
Progress has been stalled on this issue for months. No progress has been made at all since the signing on several issues including the appointment of governors, the settling up and regular meetings of a number of crucial bodies, including the National Security Council. This body has met once in 13 months. And yet the cabal of generals still meet Mugabe regularly behind the Prime Ministers back in the JOC which should have been disbanded a year ago.
Earlier this month, Mugabe unilaterally stripped MDC-run ministers of enormous powers, leaving most of them job-less. Zuma has remained silent on this blatant breach of the terms of the GPA.
On the other hand, Zuma went to the negotiating table this week stating that the parties to the GPA should park and proceed urging MDC to leave aside outstanding and contentious issues in the interests of making progress.
What, Mr Zuma please Sir, is your definition of progress?
Progress towards elections can only be made if a new constitution is in place, the electoral rolls have been cleaned up, and the GPA has been implemented in full. Rushing to an election without all this preparatory work having been properly done will merely bring about yet another contested result, with generals refusing to salute the winner and unrestrained gangs of Zanu (PF) thugs roaming the countryside to rob, rape, torment and torture suspected MDC supporter. Does Zuma regard that as progress? – to end up exactly where we began?
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga