|
|
Zimbabwe: JOC Opposes Zanu PF On Talks
 |
 |
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
Zimbabwe Independent (Harare)
8 August 2008
Posted to the web 8 August 2008
Constantine Chimakure
Harare
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe is facing opposition from members of the Joint Operations Command (JOC) and Zanu PF over talks to secure a negotiated settlement to the country's decade-long crisis.
Reliable sources told the Zimbabwe Independent that JOC members were against reported moves by Mugabe to cede executive powers to MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai in an all-inclusive government.
JOC, a national security think-tank made up of army, police, prisons and Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) chiefs, reportedly plotted a violent campaign to secure Mugabe's victory in the June 27 one-man presidential election run-off, a charge they deny.
The sources said JOC members were worried that Zanu was "conceding too much" to the MDC at the talks being mediated by South Africa President Thabo Mbeki.
"The service chiefs don't want Tsvangirai to have executive powers," one of the sources said. "They wonder how they will relate to him after they issued statements before the elections that they would not salute him if he won."
JOC members, among them, Zimbabwe Defence Forces commander General Constantine Chiwenga, Police Commissioner-general Augustine Chihuri and Prisons Commissioner retired Major-General Paradzai Zimondi, said just before the March 29 elections they would not acknowledge Tsvangirai if he won.
Tsvangirai last week asked Mbeki to have JOC members appear before the talks negotiators and spell out their position on the negotiations and their likely outcome.
The source said the JOC members were also concerned about their security amid fears that they would be arrested for alleged human rights abuses during the violent run-off campaign.
"They are against the ceding of too much power to Tsvangirai," another source said. "They are also afraid of being punished for human rights abuses."
Apart from JOC members' position, Mugabe was also facing stiff opposition in his party over the looming unity government with the MDC.
Party sources said Vice-President Joseph Msika and factions in Zanu PF were opposed to a deal with the MDC.
In a recent politburo meeting, Msika was reportedly livid that Zanu PF wanted Tsvangirai to be part of cabinet.
"Msika questioned why Tsvangirai, whom he considers to be a puppet of the West, should sit in cabinet. He is of the opinion that Tsvangirai should not be part of government," a politburo source said.
Mugabe, the source said, told Msika that Zanu PF had failed to win a majority of seats in parliament and needed to accommodate Tsvangirai for effective governance.
"The president was frank that we now have a hung parliament and as such, Tsvangirai and his party should be in an inclusive government," the source said.
Mugabe also reiterated the need to accommodate the MDC when the Zanu PF central committee and the national consultative assembly last met.
The 84-year-old veteran leader reportedly told the two party organs that Zanu PF needed to restructure after it lost the parliamentary election to the MDC.
The sources said leaders of factions in the party were also opposed to the talks, as they see the negotiations as a threat to the succession claims in Zanu PF.
The sources said the Solomon Mujuru-led faction felt alienated from the goings on in the party since the March 29 elections and were concerned that an agreement with MDC would see some of the camp's senior members left out of the corridors of power.
Mujuru's faction was opposed to the perpetration of political violence to secure the presidency for Mugabe.
|
The other faction led by Rural Housing and Social Amenities minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, the sources said, was also concerned that a unity government would derail the ascendancy of the party's legal secretary in Zanu PF's presidium.
This is the major drawback in the negotiations, however I think that JOC must be warroied about the social welfare of the Zimbas not the individual security. Why were they making such blant statements and why did they went on to engineer the slaughtering of fellow-countrymen. Justice must take precedence whether Mugabe is the ruler or not.
It comes as no surprise...!If you are used to torturing people and getting what ever you want, it is very difficult to accept change.Accepting change means you forfeit some of the previleges.These guys know that they will have to deal with more than one boss.It is high time these people know that it is not all about them.People are suffering yet they are busy with their selfish ways...
When the Rhodesian Forces murdered people prior to independence, no-one was taken to the Hague or tried for crimes against Humanity. I am not a involved in politics, but I would tell you that unless you have never been shot at you are likely ignorant of the price that was paid for independence. One thing people should remember is that the timing of the signing of the deal is not an accident, here all the JOC Member have witnessed cruelity un-imaginable.
My mother was raped by white soldiers during the war, and for those that are writing, should know the... [Read Full Text]
What justice was ever brought against the zanla "forces" who routinely cut villager's limbs off that they suspected of being informers and sell outs??? Stop pretending the Rhodesian army was responsible for all the atrocities during the war. If the truth be known the zanla thugs who were ill disciplined murdered probably more zimbabweans than the rhodies ever did!
turnex to be precise they were not zanla thugs but freedom fighters. zanla freedom fighters didn’t start the war. Of course they were not as organized as their colonial masters for they were simply a bunch of innocent farmers and pastoralists coerced into war to protect their land and dignity.may u please tell us what was the rhodesian army cum thugs were fighting for? or why they started the war?
Unfortunately, you cannot negotiate with the likes of Edison Mnanagwa, Gen. Constantine Chewenga, Augustine Chihuri, Paradzai Zimondi or Perence Shiri as they have too much to lose. These 'animals' have brought Zimbabwe to her knees through their brutality and intimidation. They will not let go of their amassed wealth and of course are afraid of the hang-mans noose which will ultimately be placed around their scrawny necks for the crimes that they have committed against Zimbabweans. My trigger finger continues to 'itch' in anticipation ! I doubt that they will require Zanu PF cards when they pass through the... [Read Full Text]
The days of the murderous members of the Joint Operations Command (JOC) are already counted, whatever the course of events the talks take!
They have been earmarked for possible prosecutions in a number of countries if by any chance they enter these countries. Aggrieved Zimbabweans will ensure that justice should run its course with these murderers.
As for lunatic Mugabe, he should better think twice if he wants to follow his dream that God annoited him to serve Zimbabwe till his death. Anyway, he can still serve a good jail sentence!
Yet another fictious prank!
Prem, you are an example of a bad debator! Issues are being discussed and you continue your usual foolish matras. We also could do the same by saying "Go away Rhodesian"..."Go away Rhodesians". But would that real contribute anything? Your mantra on Mugabe is both annoying and foolish - It is leading to nowhere. You come from a culture where you (Southern Rhodesians) have been repeadly lied to. You tend to see Zimbabwe with those cat like eyes. Get over it, Zimbabwe is not Southern Rhodesia, that evil empire!
Why would you consider that anybody who is against Mugabe must be a White Rhodhesian? I am not. I have a long record of fighting against despots, tyrants, murderers and lunatic people in power. I come from a semi-slave family who have participated in the struggle for achieving the independence of my country in Africa. I now actively support people who seek by all means to promote freedom, justice and prosperity. I have myself been a victim of Mugabe. Some of my friends as well, who were expelled manu militarily because they wanted to come inside to show solidarity with... [Read Full Text]
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copyright © 2008 Zimbabwe Independent. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Make allAfrica.com your home page | RSS Feed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top | Site Guide | Who We Are | Advertising | Search | Subscribe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Questions or Comments? Contact us. Read our Privacy Statement. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
