Confusion over Mutambara's role in government

Zimbabwe's political crisis took another dramatic turn this week, following a weekend resolution by the SADC leaders not to recognize Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara as a Principal in the coalition government.

Mutambara was snubbed by the regional leaders who met at their annual summit in Maputo last weekend, after they resolved that they would only deal with leaders of political parties. But conflicting reports in the local press have confused the issue even more.

The state controlled Herald newspaper quotes Presidential spokesperson George Charamba as saying the SADC decision was being 'misinterpreted.' He said Mutambara "remains a Principal and Deputy Prime Minister in the inclusive Government", despite the SADC resolution.

Charamba said Ncube's recognition by SADC as leader of the MDC "would not upgrade him to the status of Principal when it comes to Zimbabwe's Government matters". He added that Mutambara would "continue with his brief, including in the ongoing Constitution-making process."

But according to the independent NewsDay newspaper, Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai agreed on Monday "to consult MDC leader Welshman Ncube as a Principal in the constitution-making process".

NewsDay quoted Tsvangirai's spokesman Luke Tamborinyoka as saying Ncube would be considered a Principal in the constitution-making process, pending the Supreme Court appeals by Mutambara. The appeal is to try and reverse two High Court decisions that made Ncube President of the MDC faction.

If the NewsDay version is correct, backing Ncube would be a u-turn by Mugabe, who has supported Mutambara since he lost leadership of the MDC faction at their January 2011 congress.

Reached for comment, Mutambara told SW Radio Africa that he was in meetings and we should call him next week.

Political analyst Professor John Makumbe told SW Radio Africa the conflicting press reports show that there is "chaos in Mugabe's house" and the Zanu-PF leader is himself to blame for the mess.

"After the congress that elected Ncube as president of the MDC faction Mugabe should have appointed him as deputy Prime Minister, in keeping with the GPA. Now Mutambara is still the DPM but doesn't have a political party," Makumbe explained.

The professor said he suspects that the Supreme Court may be dragging its feet deliberately to delay resolving Mutambara's legal case in order to keep him in government, as Mugabe wants.

Makumbe said he agrees with other observers who have pointed to the latest development as further evidence of the chaos engulfing the coalition government.