SW Radio Africa (London)
Lance Guma
8 July 2009
Divisions emerged this week between the two MDC factions, over how to deal with the controversial appointment of Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono and Attorney General Johannes Tomana.
The main wing of the party led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, is adamant both officials were appointed by Mugabe without the consent of the other partners in the coalition government. But Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara, who leads the smaller MDC faction, has thrown a spanner into the works by saying Tsvangirai should work with Gono and Tomana 'to ensure the country's economic prosperity in the spirit of inclusivity.'
Stung by this apparent u-turn the Tsvangirai MDC issued a strongly worded statement saying they were 'aware of the existence of a small chorus' calling for Gono and Tomana to remain in office. The party however insisted these 'minute' and 'inaudible' voices have been 'drowned by the national chorus for change.' Spokesman Nelson Chamisa told Newsreel the issue was not motivated by personalities but arose out of the unprocedural appointment of the two, by only one of the three principals to the unity government. They want Gono and Tomana to resign in the national interest to help restore the integrity of their offices, blighted by corruption and rights abuses.
Reports several months ago suggested both Mutambara and Tsvangirai had written a letter to the Southern African Development Community and South African President Jacob Zuma urging them to intervene over the remaining issues. Mutambara is now being quoted as saying both the Gono and Tomana issue can be dealt with without going to SADC. But Chamisa said they could not work with Tomana as government's chief law officer when he had publicly declared his support for ZANU PF and he added that Gono 'kept the printing press running to fund illegal quasi-fiscal activities and to oil the ZANU PF terror campaign.'
While Tsvangirai has continued to play the diplomat in his dealings with Mugabe, his party has been calling a spade, a spade. This week alone they have distributed several statements highlighting political violence around the country. Chamisa also insisted the MDC was not happy with the 'snails pace' of progress in the unity government. He said almost 6 months after they entered the coalition, Roy Bennett has still not been sworn in as deputy Agriculture Minister, governors have not been appointed in line with the agreed formula, and permanent secretaries and ambassadors have not been appointed. He also pointed to 'the failure of the National Security Council to meet, despite a clear constitutional provision to that effect.'
'We are worried that we have remained the polite and subservient upholders of the GPA against clear evidence of the absence of a reliable and honest partner,' a party statement said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile Tsvangirai's spokesman, James Maridadi, has said he cannot corroborate state media reports that the Prime Minister had apologized to Mugabe over a boycott of cabinet last week by MDC ministers. Mugabe claimed in an interview with state media journalists that Tsvangirai came to him and said the MDC ministers were out of line and should have at the very least attended the meeting to express their frustration. Maridadi however was non committal telling us 'I don't have information to corroborate the story.'
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