SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe
President Robert Mugabe and his ZANU PF negotiators failed to turn up for a scheduled meeting on Friday at State House, that would have conclusively discussed the way forward following the regional SADC summit last week.
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC leader Welshman Ncube and their lead negotiators Tendai Biti and Priscillah Misihairambwi-Mushonga, waited in vain for three hours for Mugabe to pitch. Mugabe did not have the courtesy to tell his other Principals that he would not be coming, or contact them in any way.
The MDC led by Ncube severely criticized Mugabe for disrespecting other partners in the GPA, asking how ‘hard-pressed Zimbabweans’ struggling under the political situation must feel looking at ZANU PF’s ‘rather devious, calculated and unethical behavior in ducking meetings aimed at resolving the political crisis.”
MDC spokesman Nhlanhla Dube confirmed to SW Radio Africa that after waiting from 10am to 1pm, with no word from Mugabe or his negotiators, the Premier and Ncube decided to leave and attend to other urgent matters.
‘No explanation has thus far been given by ZANU PF for their non-arrival for this very important meeting in apparent disregard for common courtesy.
‘I think at this stage, national interests should supercede personal interests,’ said Dube, whose leader Ncube last week told SADC leaders that disputes in Zimbabwe would have been a lot easier to resolve if Mugabe presented himself first as President of Zimbabwe and not President of ZANU PF only.
The first meeting on Wednesday between the three principals was inconclusive after Mugabe left early to attend a Politburo meeting. It was agreed then by all the Principals that they would meet again Friday to deal with issues that came out of the summit resolutions recommended by South African President, Jacob Zuma.
In his recommendations that were adopted by a full SADC summit, Zuma urged the three parties to the GPA to undertake immediate measures to create a conducive environment to the holding of peaceful, credible, free and fair elections. This was after Mugabe’s unilateral proclamation of the election date as July 31st following a Constitutional court judgment ordering him to call for an election on or before the date.
However, SADC acknowledged the ruling of the Constitutional Court, but directed government to engage the court to seek an extension to accommodate all the remaining processes required for an election.
A row erupted Wednesday after it was discovered that ZANU PF lead negotiator Patrick Chinamasa had unilaterally filed a court application requesting an extension of the July 31st poll date, without consulting the MDC parties in the coalition government.
Observers said the application that Chinamasa submitted was designed to fail, making it easy for the court to reject, as ZANU PF are keen to have an early election.