Harare — THE controversially appointed ZANU-PF provincial governors' two-year office tenure comes to an end in a few days and it looks like the former ruling party is in for a test. Will party leader, President Robert Mugabe, concede to the demand of the other political formations in government to include their nominees for the governorship posts? Should the two formations of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) set a countdown timer in anticipation of victory on an issue they have fought hard to reverse ever since the formation of the coalition government about 18 months ago?

Governorship appointments have been one of the contentious issues threatening to choke life out of the fragile inclusive government after ZANU-PF took an entren-ched position not to prematurely terminate the contracts of the officials appointed on August 24, 2008.

Other issues that dog the government of compromise are the removal of sanctions and travel restrictions on some senior ZANU-PF officials, the re-appointment of senior government officials, the swearing in of MDC-T treasurer, Roy Bennett, as the deputy minister of agriculture and the banning of pirate radio stations broadcasting into the country.

Despite the three popular parties in the country agreeing on a 5:4:1 formula in the appointment of the governors, the agreement has failed to see the light of the day and ZANU-PF has been blamed for being intransigent on the issue.

Under the formula, it was proposed that the MDC-T would take charge in five provinces, while ZANU-PF governs in four and MDC-M in one.

Based on this understanding, the MDC-T had proceeded to line up its nominees namely Seyiso Moyo (Bulawayo), Lucia Matibenga (Masvingo), James Makore (Har-are), Julius Magarangoma (Man-icaland) and Tose Sansole (Matabeleland North), while the smaller MDC-M faction has earmarked Paul Themba Nyathi for the governorship of Matabeleland South.

ZANU-PF governors who are set to vacate office are Christopher Mushohwe (Manicaland), Angeline Masuku (Matabeleland South), Thokozile Mathuthu (Matabe-leland North), Cain Mathema (Bulawayo Metropolitan), David Karimanzira (Harare Metropolitan) and Titus Maluleke (Masvingo).

The former ruling party would retain Midlands presently held by Jason Machaya, Mashonaland East, Aeneas Chigwedere; Mash-onaland Central, Martin Dinha; and Faber Chidarikire, Masho-naland West

But ZANU-PF, through its congress in December last year, adopted a position not to concede to any of the MDC formations' demands until sanctions are removed.

Since the resolution, nothing tangible has materialised and talks, among the parties to address outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement (GPA) which formed the pillar of the wobbly unity government are virtually dead.

The issue of sharing governorship posts has been on the table for quite sometime and is among the so-called outstanding issues in the GPA.

With the provincial governors set to wind-up business next week, critics this week predicted that ZANU-PF is bound to shift goal posts.

Academic and political commentator, John Makumbe, was skeptical ZANU-PF would deal with the issue in a manner that reflects the wishes of its partners in government.

"ZANU-PF does not have a way out because the contracts of the governors have expired, but this party has an element of surprise and it may fail to implement the 5:4:1 formula, which we are made to believe was agreed upon by the players in the government," said Makumbe.

"We should remember that ZANU-PF has taken a position not to concede to any MDC demands until sanctions are removed and I fear it will use this tool to its advantage to stop the MDC governors from taking office.

"This party (ZANU-PF) is known to be stubborn. Look at how they have treated the jingles issue, Cabinet agreed they should be banned, but that is not what is happening on the ground."

Makumbe added that the former ruling party was likely to extend the term of office of its governors or bring tactics to delay the new appointments.

Governors are perceived as a tool for the former ruling party to maintain its grip on power by exerting its influence in administering its affairs in the country's 10 provinces.

University of Zimbabwe lecturer and political analyst, Joseph Kurebwa, also cast a doubt on ZANU-PF accommodating its partners in the new appointments.

"This issue is tricky. I do not see ZANU-PF agreeing to give the MDC these posts. They might have agreed on a formula, but I think ZANU-PF also has a position that it will not make further concessions and I see that issue coming up again this time," said Kurebwa.

"The lifespan of the inclusive government is likely to end next year as hinted by calls from the principals for elections, so why would ZANU-PF appoint MDC governors who would be in office for less than a year."

National University of Science and Technology academic, Law-ton Hikwa was however, optimistic MDC would get its fair share as agreed by the three political parties.

"It looks like that particular issue has been resolved, there is no longer contestation by the political parties and there should be no fear whatsoever that ZANU-PF will backtrack," he said.

"Yes, ZANU-PF had taken a position not to make further concessions, but a lot of things have happened in the inclusive government and the issue of governors is unavoidable because the vacancies will soon be there and ZANU-PF will honour its promise to appoint MDC governors once the contract of those in office expires."