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Zuma team meets negotiators

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SOUTH AFRICA President Jacob Zuma’s facilitation team jetted into the country yesterday and met negotiators from the three political parties in the inclusive government to check on the country’s progress in implementing outstanding Global Political Agreement (GPA) issues.

SOUTH AFRICA President Jacob Zuma’s facilitation team jetted into the country yesterday and met negotiators from the three political parties in the inclusive government to check on the country’s progress in implementing outstanding Global Political Agreement (GPA) issues. Report by Everson Mushava Chief Reporter

Lindiwe Zulu, the facilitation team’s spokesperson and Zuma’s international relations adviser, was in the company of Charles Nqakula, a political adviser to the South Africa President.

Zanu PF was represented by negotiators Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa and Transport and Infrastructure Development minister Nicholas Goche.

MDC-T was represented by party secretary-general Tendai Biti and Energy minister Elton Mangoma while Regional Integration minister Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and National Reconciliation minister Moses Mzila Ndhovu represented the MDC.

Chinamasa and Misihairabwi-Mushonga confirmed yesterday’s meeting.

“Yes, we had a joint meeting with the facilitation team because we did not anticipate any bickering,” Chinamasa said.

“We briefed the facilitation team on the constitution- making process and told them that as political parties in the inclusive government, we are urging our supporters to vote for the document.”

Chinamasa said a date for the referendum to guide the timelines to elections would be decided, hopefully next week after the document is tabled in Parliament.

“We also presented to them on our lack of resources to do voter education and the referendum. We told them lack of resources was affecting our timelines to elections,” Chinamasa said.

Biti has repeatedly said the country had no money for both the referendum and the elections.

The Justice minister said he could not specify when elections would be held as there was need to harmonise the country’s electoral laws with the new constitution.

“That process is already in progress under my ministry, but we have not yet adopted a new constitution. These are only proposals. Actual work will commence as soon as the constitution is adopted.”

Misihairabwi-Mushonga said the meeting was cordial as parties had adopted a common position on the contentious draft constitution.

Sadc has always maintained that Zimbabwe will only go for elections after all outstanding issues, including media and security sector reforms are implemented.

Efforts to get a comment from MDC-T failed as Biti’s mobile phone went unanswered.