VICE Presidents Cdes Joseph Msika and Joice Mujuru were yesterday sworn-in at State House in Harare as the process towards a new Government gathers momentum.

To add impetus to the process, former South African president Cde Thabo Mbeki - the Sadc-appointed facilitator to the inter-party dialogue - arrived in Harare late last night to set Zanu-PF, MDC-T and the MDC on the home stretch to the inclusive Government.

Cde Mbeki, who is accompanied by former local government minister Cde Sydney Mufamadi, director-general in the Presidency Reverend Frank Chikane and legal advisor Advocate Mojankunyane Gumbi, was met at Harare International Airport by Foreign Affairs Minister Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Zanu-PF negotiator Cde Nicholas Goche, Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Cde Stan Mudenge and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo.

The swearing-in of the Vice Presidents followed the gazetting last Friday of ministries allocated to Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations.

The Vice Presidents - who were sworn in by President Mugabe - pledged allegiance to Zimbabwe and to give wise counsel to the President as well as committing themselves to hold issues discussed in Cabinet in confidence.

Section 31 (C)(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides for the positions of two Vice Presidents who must take oaths before assuming duties.

In an interview with journalists after the swearing-in ceremony, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Cde Patrick Chinamasa said the occasion marked the second step towards the formation of a new Government.

"What happened today is the second step towards the formation of Government. On Friday, President Mugabe gazetted the allocation of ministries. The next person to be sworn in is the Prime Minister, his deputies and Cabinet ministers," he said.

Cde Chinamasa said MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Professor Arthur Mutambara could be legally sworn-in as Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister pending the enactment of Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 19.

"Mr Tsvangirai could be appointed Prime Minister pending the enactment of No. 19. The President has a right to appoint provided those he appoints are able to find seats in Parliament."

Both Tsvangirai and Mutambara are not Members of Parliament and seats have to be created for them within three months of taking the oath of office.

Cde Chinamasa said after the March 29 harmonised elections, Zimbabwe has been drifting and emphasised the need to move forward.

"The country has been drifting for the past six months. We cannot continue drifting."

He said the allocation of ministries and the swearing-in of Vice Presidents Msika and Mujuru showed the direction Government was taking saying "the locomotive has been too long at the station and is now warming its engine . . ."

Cde Chinamasa said Zanu-PF was committed to dialogue and indicated talks on the allocation of the Finance Ministry might resume today.

"We should be back to work tomorrow (today). As far as we (Zanu-PF) are concerned, the only contention is the Ministry of Finance. We hope the facilitator will come up with fresh ideas," he said.

He slammed the MDC-T for seeking to reopen issues long discussed and closed saying the flip-flopping was not in the best interests of the country.

"I do hope that kind of behaviour will not go into the inclusive Government. As Zanu-PF we are committed to implemening the agreement."

The MDC-T is arguing that the allocation of ministries was still to be concluded and wants to be assigned some key ministries allocated to Zanu-PF.

Cabinet ministers, among them Cdes Emmerson Mnangagwa, Patrick Chinamasa, Nicholas Goche, Sydney Sekeramayi, Ignatius Chombo, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Kembo Mohadi and Didymus Mutasa witnessed the swearing-in.

Cdes Olivia Muchena, Rugare Gumbo, Saviour Kasukuwere, Obert Mpofu, Webster Shamu, Elliot Manyika, David Parirenyatwa, Amos Midzi and Patrick Zhuwao complete the list of Cabinet ministers who were present.