ZIMBABWE — HARARE - The MDC last night scoffed at suggestions by the State press that only two cabinet posts were holding up the division of posts in a transitional government expected to emerge from the ongoing power-sharing talks.

 

"Contrary to these claims, there is a deadlock on the allocation of all key ministries and the allocation of governors.," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said in a statement fired to ZimDaily last night.

 

 

"There has been neither contact nor communication made between the MDC and Zanu PF as mischievously reported in The Herald."

President Mugabe, MDC leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara met at State on Saturday from 10 am for discussions over tea that ended in failure.

The deadlock was referred back to the negotiators for the second time in a fortnight. The Herald reported Monday that negotiators were due to meet Monday to iron out only two portfolios that were in dispute, the Finance and Home Affairs ministry.

But Chamisa said in his statement last night: "The negotiating teams have not met since the meeting between the three principals on Saturday to discuss the outstanding issues."

Chamisa complained that it was now exactly 21 days after the signing of the global agreement, and the cabinet deadlock called for the urgent help and assistance from SADC and AU as guarantors of the deal to unfreeze the impasse.

"MDC is concerned with the prolonged and protracted dialogue considering that the people are dying of hunger, factories closed, school calendars disrupted, workers not going to work and disease outbreak," Chamisa said.

 

"The country is at a standstill and the people 's patience is running out, hence the resolution of the impasse is more urgent than ever before." In the meantime, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai can be sworn into office and delegated his duties by President Robert Mugabe while the deadlock over the division of Cabinet posts continues, legal experts say.

Chamisa said Zanu (PF) was being dishonest and trying to mislead international opinion that there was narrowing of differences when there were in fact obstacles all over.

"Nothing has been agreed on and we are disappointed because people are dying of hunger. People need a new government so that we stop this suffering," Chamisa said.

"As far as we are concerned, internal consultations are continuing, but there are disagreements all over. If consultations locally fail, we will have no option but go to the SADC, which is a guarantor of the power-sharing deal.

"We are not even sure when the principals will meet again, but certainly it has to be early because the people can't wait any longer. Actually, we are now not sure if they will meet, or whether the concerned parties will just decide to go the SADC way," said Chamisa.

Sources said the MDC is balloting its members probably on Thursday to weigh its options amid reports the party could pull out of the deal with disastrous consequences for the country.
There were disputes over the governorships and powerful ministries such as economic ministries and security ministries.

Mugabe is under pressure from Zanu (PF) hawks to retain control of Home Affairs, a battleground of the deadlock, and not to concede too much ground in a delicate process.

There is mounting anxiety inside Zimbabwe over the stalemate, which is causing a massive domino effect on the economy. Signs of economic collapse are everywhere, with disease and poverty now rife.

 

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