President Zuma must not tolerate Zanu-PF's crazy games: Dube

JOHANNESBURG - South African President Jacob Zuma must not tolerate Zanu pf's crazy games when monitor progress made in implementing the election roadmap ahead of Zimbabwe's watershed harmonised poll scheduled for later this year said Leonard Dube, Provincial chairman of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Professor Welshman Ncube.

Dube spoke to Bulawayo24 News after it was reported that the Southern African Development Community facilitation team was visiting Harare where he emphasised and urged President Zuma to be firm towards arrogant Mugabe.

"Mugabe and his Zanu pf people need a tough and dedicated person to force them to adhere to the agreements signed under the GPA. Zanu pf is still trying everything on its powers to frustrate progress on GPA hence Zuma must show them that he is in-charge of the process. He must not allow any wild behaviour which will be of favour to only a single party, but something relating to accomplishment of the GPA. Elections must held after complete reforms, why should there be something compromised?," said Dube.

Recently, MDC negotiator to the Global Political Agreement, Priscilla Misihairambwi Mushonga, was quoted in the media saying that the SADC facilitation team was expected as per their previous communication. "In a letter to us, they (SADC facilitation team) indicated that they would be coming on the 30th of this month. Basically, they are coming to monitor progress made so far in the implementation of the election roadmap," said Misihairambwi.

Meanwhile, a source within MDC-T who spoke on condition of anonymity was quoted saying that their party would take advantage of the SADC team's visit to pressure Zanu (PF) to give in to demands for security sector and media reforms which he said are part of the election roadmap.

"We will highlight to the team that security sector and media reforms are critical elements of the election roadmap and there is need for Zanu (PF) to agree to the implementation of these reforms because without them, we cannot expect a free and fair poll," said the source. The source said that after the visit by the SADC facilitation team, South African President, Jacob Zuma would visit the country on a date to be announced.

SADC is the guarantor of the GPA, which gave birth to the Inclusive Government. The regional body has insisted that issues agreed as part of the election roadmap should be fully implemented before the country goes for polls.

Zanu (PF) is adamant that they will not give in to demands for security sector reforms before the next elections and this has prompted Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to launch a diplomatic offensive under which he is courting regional leaders to exert pressure on President Robert Mugabe.

Zanu (PF) spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo said he was unaware of the visit by the facilitation team.