MDC-T Shocked By Mugabe Claims

By Caiphas Chimhete 

MDC-T has described President Robert Mugabe’s claims that the three political parties in the unity agreement have not reached an agreement as a “gobsmacking political somersault” which will not be tolerated.

Mugabe told a Zanu PF central committee meeting on Friday that Zanu PF was still insisting that it would not compromise in the current talks over outstanding Global Political Agreement (GPA) issues until sanctions imposed by the West were removed. 

His outbursts were at variance with comments by the mediator South African President Jacob Zuma that the parties had agreed to a package of measures during his intervention a fortnight ago. 

The negotiators met on Thursday and Friday and are expected to round off the talks tomorrow. A report will be presented to Zuma before the Southern African Development Community considers a way forward. 

MDC-T spokesperson, Nelson Chamisa  said his party was shocked by Mugabe who said Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana were not going anywhere. 

Mugabe also said there was no deal on the appointment of provincial governors and the status of MDC-T deputy agriculture minister-designate, Roy Bennett. 

“We are shocked,” said Chamisa. “We don’t know the source of this. It’s a Zanu PF political somersault and we don’t know the motivation for this. It’s revisionism.” 

He said an agreement had been reached that Gono and Tomana vacate their offices. 

There was also an agreement on the re-appointment of provincial governors among other issues, he said. 

“We are gobsmacked by the pronouncements from Zanu PF about the lack of progress in the talks when we were of the understanding and view that we are about to conclude all issues,” said Chamisa.

He added, “If they are not politicking, it means we will be going back to President Jacob Zuma (South African President) for arbitration.” Zimbabwe Standard

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