Furore over Makarau's poll contract

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has rejected President Mugabe's plan to appoint the new Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Rita Makarau in an acting capacity.

Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa was quoted saying Makarau will be ZEC chairperson in an acting capacity until December.

But Tsvangirai says appointing a commissioner to head an important body such as ZEC in an acting capacity trivialises the critical role of conducting elections.

Tsvangirai's advisor Alex Magaisa said the principals had agreed to the appointment of the highly respected Supreme Court judge in a full time capacity.