MDC, MDC-T and Zanu-PF agree on Sadc technical team

PARTIES in the inclusive Government last week agreed to have members of the Sadc technical team deployed in Jomic, more than a year after they were appointed.

The agreement was secured when President Jacob Zuma's facilitation team held a joint meeting with negotiators to the Global Political Agreement in Harare.

Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC finally agreed on the role of the technical team.

The team comprises Ambassador David Katye from Tanzania and Mrs Colly Muunyu, a diplomat from Zambia.

Zanu-PF negotiator Cde Patrick Chinamasa said the team would complement the Sadc facilitation team.

"As you know, Jomic is made up of three political parties and these parties will meet to settle their differences should they arise," he said.

"If there are challenges, then the facilitation team, assisted by the Sadc technical team, will come in to help us."

Cde Chinamasa said the technical team would only assist Jomic without being a member of the organ.

"Jomic is for three political parties in the GPA. Just like facilitators, the technical team members cannot be members of any political party."

The resolution to include the Sadc facilitation team in Jomic was made at the contested Livingstone Troika meeting in March last year.

Disagreements over terms of reference for the team by the political parties delayed its deployment.

Some of the parties wanted the terms of reference to be clarified and ensure it would not interfere with the country's sovereignty.

The team would assist the Sadc facilitation team in speeding up the implementation of issues under Jomic.

The technical team would now be introduced to Jomic members after an earlier attempt to do so failed because of the disagreements.

MDC negotiator Ms Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga said members of the Sadc technical team would be introduced to Jomic as a matter of urgency.

"We have agreed as political parties to have them. They would now be part of the facilitation team," she said.

MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora said the case for Sadc technical representatives had been resolved and they should commence their work.

"This was a resolution made at the Sadc Troika meeting held in Livingstone, Zambia, last year," he said.

Initially, the Sadc technical team was to comprise of three members, but South Africa opted not to appoint one, saying they have a three-member facilitation team already active in Zimbabwe.