HARARE - The decision-making body of the party of Zimbabwe's pro-democracy leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, privately called this week for secret talks with the country's military commanders to clear up "misunderstandings" before a new MDC government takes office. This was after a heated National Security Council meeting last Friday degenerated into chaos. The NSC, which is supposed to meet monthly, was meting for the first time after two months. Sources said sparks flew at the meeting. Security commanders closed ranks to mount an offensive against MDC secretary general Tendai Biti and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai – who had confronted them on the systematic militarization of the state.
The generals flatly rejected accusations that they had deployed soldiers in preparations for fresh elections. A source said Tsvangirai confronted police chief Augustine Chihuri about the ban on the MDC rally scheduled for Saturday at Zimbabwe Grounds.
Chihuris climb-down
“Chihuri was forced to call the Harare DisPol then and there to issue authority for the rally to go ahead, which the police had deliberately withheld. It was a humiliating climb-down,” said our source. Approval for the MDC rally, which was eventually held under heavy security, was only issued around 5pm on Friday. Chihuri was said to have tried to divert attention by raising the issue of the slain cop. Biti reportedly infuriated Chihuri when he said the police inspector was killed in a beer brawl.
“There was a showdown over that matter,” our source said. In the end, Biti reportedly stayed the course of a heated exchange with Chihuri, who he said would have to go before the country holds a free and fair election. Chihuri is said to have threatened to deal with Biti.
A day later, Biti’s Powland Way home was bombed by unknown assailants. “There is obviously bad blood and a realisation that now is the time to engage in honest talk with the service chiefs and seriously discuss their retirement packages,” said our source.
Apartheid generals
Consultations are understood to be ongoing with South African President Jacob Zuma’s facilitation team on the model used to retire apartheid generals prior to majority rule in South Africa in 1994 and the subsequent security sector reforms. Our source said there was also a showdown over recent remarks by Brig Gen Douglas Nyikayaramba that the service chiefs would not salute anyone without liberation war credentials. Tsvangirai reportedly demanded a pledge from the service chiefs that they will respect the Constitution.
“They just mumbled an answer, nothing concrete,” said our source. contrary to what our source claims happened, defence minister Emerson Mnangagwa said meeting was held in a “jovial atmosphere.” “We discussed issues of national security policy not security sector reforms. Security sector reforms are not a policy issue.”
Immunity deal
An emergency meeting of the MDC Cabinet caucus on Monday reportedly resolved to open talks in earnest with the generals in the wake of various threats. They want to negotiate an “immunity deal”, especially with Chihuri and Defence Forces commander Constantine Chiwenga, both of whom the MDC wants retired as a high priority.
“It is obviously in our interest now that dialogue is held urgently to eliminate the misunderstandings between the democratic forces and the junta,” a senior MDC official said. “We must have politically meaningful dialogue and they must unconditionally stop all threats to the transition or to the constitutional order.” But the call is likely to fall on deaf ears as the authoritarian junta seems determined to keep the civilian government it has hand-picked, minus the two MDC formations, to maintain its three decade grip on power.
Panel of Elders
The regime has used everything in its power, from deadly force to contentious court rulings, to sideline the MDC and its supporters since its sham election win in 2008, which the military spearheaded with brute force. The newly-formed Panel of Elders has reportedly been tasked with starting a process of national reconciliation involving the army, pro-democracy groups and militias that have fought the MDC for a decade now. It includes a Retired Colonel Mawire Mutasa, who is said to be the key cog in talks with the generals.
But Zanu (PF) has already rejected the Panel, branding it a “regime change tool.” “Zanu (PF) totally rejects the creation of such a destabilising project and calls upon all patriotic Zimbabweans to distance themselves from such machinations by the enemy,” said party spokesman Rugare Gumbo. Tsvangirai’s previous call for dialogue with the generals who have
shown open disdain for him have been futile.