Ncube might have to eat own words on trivial GPA posts

Last month Ncube declared himself Deputy Prime Minister after toppling Arthur Mutambara as leader of the smaller MDC faction. But Robert Mugabe has snubbed his elevation and refused to swear him in as deputy premier claiming it would create legal problems for the government. Mugabe even suggested that it would require Mutambara to resign his post to clear the way for Ncube.

This week commentators were digging up old quotes from Ncube on contentious GPA issues. In October 2010 Ncube told his twitter followers, to us it is not about positions but rather about what we can do to improve the lives of ordinary people. We are frustrated that our partners have slowed the full GPA implementation over issues, including the appointment of Gono, Tomana and Bennett.

Political commentator Sanderson Makombe also wrote an article quoting Ncube as saying, we dont see why the important business of the State should be interrupted by such trivial matters such as how this one should be in this position and that one should not be in that position. The position of the party was further highlighted by Mutambara who claimed Mugabe had the right to make the appointments.

How ironic then that when the next round of negotiations on the full implementation of the GPA commences, Welshman Ncubes name will appear alongside Roy Bennett, Johannes Tomana and Gideon Gono as an outstanding issue. Trivial is it professor? Makombe wrote. It has also been confirmed that Ncube has requested a meeting with Mugabe to resolve the new dispute.

Makombe meanwhile believes, The debacle over Ncubes ascendancy and subsequent request to be sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister exposes how shoddy the drafters of the GPA and Constitutional Amendment Number 19 were, in not anticipating such arising challenges. These documents provide ample academic discourse on how not to write a constitution, he said.

The MDC-N meanwhile released a statement on Sunday saying Mugabe has no power or right to appoint any person into the cabinet without the approval of (their) party through (its) leadership. Equally clear, is the right of each party to reshuffle, reassign or recall any of its representatives, the President being required only to formally make the appointments as requested by the parties.

Makombe however said attempts by Ncubes party to compare their current redeployment of Mutambara with the cabinet reshuffle by Tsvangirai last year, were misplaced. The appointment, deployment and reshuffling of ministers is expressly provided for in the constitution by amendment No 19.

While in the case of the President, Prime Minister and their deputies; Such vacancy shall be filled by a nominee of the Party which held that position prior to the vacancy arising. The problem is even though they are free to choose whoever they want to fill that vacancy. The debate is whether the same office is currently vacant? With Mutambara not having resigned, it means there is no vacancy legally.