The MDC has questioned the sincerity of Zanu (PF) in the face of mounting state-sponsored violence and has threatened to pull out of the talks if this is not addressed by Mbeki as a matter of urgency.
Last week Mbeki rebuked Mugabe over his failure to act against the anti-MDC violence by his supporters, as well as the police, green bombers and other state security agents. But there has been no noticeable improvement.
Another sticking point is the failure of government to repeal – or at least amend – the draconian security and media laws, which the MDC had been given to understand would be scrapped in return for its support for the 18th constitutional amendment, which was unanimously passed by parliament last month. The MDC’s agreement to support the controversial amendment caused a crisis in the relationship between the opposition and civil society.
Mbeki has imposed a blanket of secrecy around the talks. – Itai Dzamara
Post published in: News