Prof Jonathan Moyo blasts Tsvangirai

The Zimbabwe government on Monday blasted former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai for claiming the coountry not have the capacity to intervene in Mozambique where that country's forces have clashed with Renamo rebels.

In an interview, Media, Information and Broadcasting Services minister Jonathan Moyo said the MDC-T leader no longer had the mandate to comment on government issues.

"Who said Zimbabwe was going to intervene anyway? In any case, who is he (Tsvangirai)? Does he think he is still the Prime Minister of this country? Zimbabwe discharges its mandate through Sadc, not through Press statements from people like him," Moyo said.

Tsvangirai was reportedly quoted yesterday, saying Zimbabwe could not afford to intervene in the Mozambican crisis and suggesting that the impasse had to be resolved through dialogue.

"We do not have the capacity to launch another military intervention in Mozambique," Tsvangirai reportedly said.

"I think the Mozambican issue is an internal matter which should be resolved through dialogue, in Mozambique."

Mozambican President Armando Guebuza recently admitted that peace was under threat in his country following clashes between the State security services and Renamo fighters.

In the 1980s, Zimbabwe dispatched forces to support the Frelimo government when Renamo, led by Alfonso Dhlakama, intensified a civil war that went on to last 16 years.

Last week, Foreign Affairs deputy minister Christopher Mutsvangwa indicated Zimbabwe could intervene in Mozambique.

"It will be misguided for Renamo to bring instability and expect Zimbabwe to watch," Mutsvangwa was quoted as saying in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation.

On Saturday, suspected Renamo guerillas ambushed a passenger minibus, killing one person and injuring 10 more.