The political crisis in Zimbabwe is once again scheduled to feature at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit, starting Monday in Namibia. Leaders of the three main parties in the coalition government are due to attend to deal with the contentious issues that remain, more than a year after they signed the Global Political Agreement that created the so-called "inclusive government".

The SADC mediator on Zimbabwe, South Africa's President Jacob Zuma, is expected to present an update on the ongoing negotiations to President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique, who also chairs SADC's security troika. But observers say they do not expect any real action to be taken by the regional grouping, particularly in light of the fact that South Africa's Foreign Ministry on Thursday said Zuma will tell SADC that Zimbabwe is 'on the correct path.' Foreign Ministry Director General Ayanda Ntsaluba told a news conference in Pretoria; "He (Zuma) will recognise that the task in Zimbabwe is not completed but the overwhelming picture is favourable."

Writer and human rights activist Elinor Sisulu said: "Frankly I don't think we can put much hope in SADC. We couldn't in the past and there's certainly nothing to indicate that has changed. The MDC has raised issues and basically they've been ignored by SADC. You can say they are a toothless bulldog that Zimbabwe ignores."

As to whether discussing Zimbabwe at the SADC summit would be a waste of time, Sisulu said: "Discussions are always necessary and I suppose from the MDC point of view it is important that it's on the agenda." However she added that it would not be useful "to put one's eggs in the basket".

The remaining issues in the GPA are clearly a result of ZANU-PF's refusal to abide by the signed agreement and relinquish some power. Mugabe has also continued to act unilaterally on several occasions, making critical decisions without consulting the MDC.

Zuma talked tough on Zimbabwe before he took over from Thabo Mbeki as South Africa's president, but critics say he has been as ineffective as his predecessor. And they believe South Africa has much to gain from the crisis next door.

Meanwhile SADC has also done nothing to punish the Zimbabwean authorities for ignoring rulings by the regional court in Namibia, which held them in contempt for continuing violent farm invasions and harassing white commercial farmers.

The Africa Union's Human Rights Commission also found Mugabe's government guilty of human rights abuses during Operation Murambatsvina, in which the state bulldozed homes and businesses that were considered illegal. Close to a million Zimbabweans were displaced but again, no action was taken.