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13 August 2008
By Never Kadungure and Fortune Tazvida
Arthur Mutambara and his breakaway faction of the MDC sealed their political fate on Tuesday after signing a deal to share power with Robert Mugabe soon after Morgan Tsvangirai walked out of the talks.
Nehanda Radio bodly reported that Tsvangirai would walk out of the talks Tuesday because Mugabe was refusing to cede significant executive powers and was only prepared to offer Tsvangirai a ceremonial Premiership.
That is exactly what happened as it became clear Mugabe was not interested in genuine change for the country but simply wanted to absorb the MDC into his government like he did Joshua Nkomo's PF ZAPU party in 1987.
Developments marked a complete turn-around to initial optimism deliberately sown by selected journalists who were being used by the South African government and Zanu PF to create high expectations and hopefully put Tsvangirai under pressure to sign.
While everyone was sold the dummy that Mugabe's presidency would be ceremonial the Zanu PF leader was actually pushing for Tsvangirai to be ceremonial Prime Minister. He had a willing helper in Mutambara whose attitude at the talks has been described as bordering on the childish.
To add insult to injury Mugabe and Zanu PF were insisting on keeping the Ministries of Defence, Security and Information while giving the MDC Finance, Home Affairs and Social Welfare portfolios. Analysts say the army and security forces virtually hold the levers of power in the country and the person who controlled them ran the country.
Insiders say Tsvangirai told Mugabe and Mutambara, 'chitongayi nyika yacho muri-two- why don't the two of you run the country,' before Mbeki pleaded with him to remain in the room. Questions have always been raised about Mutambara's faction and whether Zanu PF used them to split the MDC.
Most of the top leaders in the faction, Arthur Mutambra, Welshman Ncube, Priscilla Misihairambwi Mushonga and Gibson Sibanda lost dismally to the Tsvangirai MDC in the March 29 elections. It is these leaders who are desperate for positions outside democratic elections and the deal with Mugabe has surprised few people.
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