Mugabes word means nothing

After his recent trip to Harare in an attempt to breathe new life into the power-sharing arrangement between the Zimbabwean parties, Zuma announced that an agreement had been reached on ” a package of measures” to be resolved by the end of March.

Within days, Mugabe and his lieutenants were repudiating this. Mugabe told Zanu (PF) central committee members that he would make no concessions to the MDC until Western countries have lifted all restrictive measures against him and his faithful.

Patrick Chinamasa went further. He said no agreement to break the current deadlock in Harare had been reached with Zuma.

This is not the first time that Mugabe and his Zanu (PF) party have reneged on undertakings made to mediators. This makes it hard for leaders like Zuma. They think they have secured an agreement between all parties, only to find out that Mugabe has scuppered it once again.

We understand Zuma has now realised what slimy characters he is dealing with. Weekend media reports from South Africa suggest that Zuma will not accept a report from the Zimbabwean negotiators that does not incorporate the “package of measures” agreed during his recent mediation.

This, of course puts Mugabe and Zuma on a collision course. This is the first time we have had strong language from South Africa and could signal the beginning of a tougher stance by the South Africans towards the Zimbabwean ditherers.

The strong language from Pretoria came in response to a report in the pro-Zanu (PF) state-run Herald newspaper saying Zanu (PF)’s chief negotiator, Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, had declared that the negotiators had reached no agreements with Zuma.

The South African President said on concluding his visit that a “package of measures” was agreed through his mediation.

We understand Lindiwe Zulu, and other members of the South African facilitation team would soon be back in Harare to continue work with the negotiators.

Zuma must be told that any undertakings from Mugabe must be in writing, with implementation dates agreed upon. Maybe and only maybe, Mugabe could then be held accountable.