ZIMBABWE — HARARE - Stung by the pressure piling on him for failing to clinch a political settlement in Zimbabwe, President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa came to Harare Monday with a remarkable change of attitude and approach as he tries to convince Robert Mugabe to cede much of executive powers to MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, ZimDaily can reveal.

 

In a departure from what all along had earned him disrepute as he seemed intent on supporting and defending Mugabe, Mbeki came to Harare with an amended proposal of what Tsvangirai has been refusing to sign and told Mugabe that the SADC and African Union had given him the suggestion for what is close to being a 50-50 power sharing arrangement but that effectively gives powers to run government to Tsvangirai..

 

 

For that reason, highly placed sources privy to the deliberations that took place on Monday say Mbeki was in a better position to strike a deal as Tsvangirai came out of the meeting reportedly saying, "this is better, at least we are moving now".

The amended proposal, a copy of which was leaked to ZimDaily Tuesday morning, shows that Mbeki wants Mugabe to accept to give substantive executive powers to Tsvangirai, who would be assuming the position of Prime Minister in a power sharing arrangement, with the aged Zanu (PF) dictator remaining a President, but largely in a ceremonial role.

 

The ammended proposal gives the Prime Minister the powers to appoint, supervise and manage government ministries, whilst also chairing cabinet meetings.

 

These envisaged roles would give Tsvangirai responsibility, power and authority over the affairs and running of all the government ministries, a scenario the MDC leader has reportedly been preferring.

The proposal further suggests for the sharing of ministries between Zanu (PF) and the MDC, for which the two political camps would negotiate on which ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leader of the smaller MDC faction, Arthur Mutambara would be given the position of Deputy Prime Minister, which the position of a third Vice President would be created to accomodate a senior official from the MDC, most likely the main wing MDC's Vice President Thokhozani Khupe.

On the other hand, Mbeki proposes that the President remains head of State but also Commander of the Defence Forces, one of the issues reportedly that caused debate when the leaders met Monday as the MDC leader is said to have expressed discomfort over that suggestion.

In a way that clearly is aimed at creating a harmonious relationship between the two political foes, the proposal further states that the "President and Prime Minister would always consult and engage each other in the running of affairs in both respective capacities as Head of Government and Head of State".

 

With the amendments to the proposal, observers felt a deal was now more likely but however there were already reports of "serious" discontent and grumbling said to have been expressed from within Mugabe's Zanu (PF), where hawks and hardliners are said to shudder to imagine the  possibility of Tsvangirai being the Head of Government, appointing and supervising all ministers.

 

"There are a number of senior officials in Zanu (PF) who have already expressed their discomfort after the details of the new proposal which they say mean an end of their opportunities and privileges," a source within the party said Tuesday morning.

Mugabe, a source told us, has indicated a willingness to budge in and accept surrendering powers to Tsvangirai as Head of Government. "Mugabe is in a tight corner and has been warned this could be his last chance before Mbeki and SADC ditch him," the source said.

 

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