Tsvangirai calls for early national polls

State controlled media,'The Sunday Mail' reports that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has finally conceded that national elections will be held this year because the inclusive Government is on the brink of becoming "totally" dysfunctional.

In the past, Tsvangirai and his MDC-T party appeared to be against the polls being held this year, arguing that various "reforms" should first be implemented.

However, in a dramatic turn of events, which 'The Sunday Mail' analysts say reflects the true position, Tsvangirai has given the clearest indication that the plebiscite is imminent.

In a draft letter to President Mugabe exclusively obtained by state controlled media, the Prime Minister bids the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to resolve challenges the inclusive Government was facing, saying "time is not on our side as we move towards the next election".

He also writes that Government has failed to achieve its targets.

The lengthy letter, whose draft was compiled by foreign functionaries working as MDC-T advisors, was expected to be delivered to the President this week.

"Your Excellency, in just over a fortnight, the inclusive Government will have been in existence for three years," reads part of the letter.

"I believe that it is proper for us to reflect on the state of the inclusive Government, particularly over the last 12 months in order for us to chart a way forward.

". . . Your Excellency, time is not on our side as we move towards the next election. Let us give momentum to our agreement by facilitating the creation of an enabling environment for our people to exercise their right to choose their leaders freely and fairly."

Mr Tsvangirai lists economic stability and "reforms" such as a new constitution, among the inclusive Government's broad objectives.

He attributes this failure to, among other issues, a lack of commitment from Cabinet ministers, a situation that, he says, could render the inclusive Government "totally" dysfunctional.

He also raises complaints around violence as well as media and security "reforms" and further advocates realigning select laws with the proposed new constitution.

"There remains a disturbing trend where some ministers and, in particular, Zanu-PF ministers are not attending the Council of Ministers (meetings), thereby derailing the implementation of the Government Work Programme," reads another portion of the letter.

"Some of the ministers who have been invited to be part of my tours have not shown up. This trend, Mr President, if allowed to continue, will make this Government totally dysfunctional."

Sources revealed yesterday that the letter was drafted by a team of Western advisors which replaced Heatly (alias Charles Beatle).

It is understood the team is working with locals, chief among them Munyaradzi Bwanya, who is a personal assistant to Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Mr Jameson Timba. Bwanya is said to have co-ordinated the drafting of the letter between the PM's Office and a property in the Belgravia area of Harare.

"The team of advisors replaced Charles Heatly and is working with locals," said a well-placed source.

"The letter has already been drafted and is scheduled to be submitted to the President this coming week (this week)."

A political analyst, who preferred anonymity, said the letter shows that Mr Tsvangirai does not take responsibility for issues under his ambit.

The analyst also said the Prime Minister was abusing his position by mixing party and Government issues.

"The issues you say have been raised in the letter are a mere regurgitation and recycling of issues that have been overtaken by time and events; no new issues are being raised," said the analyst. "He is raising political issues for his party's interests. He is abusing his position and that is unacceptable. Party issues can be discussed under the Joint Monitoring and Co-ordinating Committee (Jomic). Alternatively, the MDC-T secretary-general can raise the issues with the Zanu-PF secretary for administration.

"It appears the letter is a desperate attempt to revive his (Mr Tsvangirai) party's fortunes ahead of the elections."

The analyst added: "He also admits that he has lost control of the Council of Ministers. It is known that only about six ministers attend those meetings. This clearly shows that the Government has become dysfunctional and a dysfunctional government should face elections."