MDC-T castigates GPA negotiators

issues in the Global Political Agreement and the election roadmap.
The party is represented by its secretary general, Mr Tendai Biti, and deputy treasurer general, Mr Elton Mangoma, in the negotiations.
MDC-T spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, said in an interview that the party was not happy with the pace of the negotiators.

He could not be drawn into revealing what course of action his party would take against them.
“Our negotiators are going on holiday,” said Mr Mwonzora.
“They are not negotiating enough and I think they should meet more often as possible.

“They must not go on holiday when there are outstanding issues to negotiate. At the moment, they are relaxing and I do not think it is good for the nation.”
Asked on his party’s next strategy if the stalemate continued, Mr Mwonzora said: “The MDC will weigh its strategies and options at an appropriate time depending on the circumstances taking place at that time.”

Mr Mwonzora said that the MDC-T was not going to participate in any election if its demands where not met.
He said any future election should be determined by the progress made in the implementation of outstanding issues.
Mr Mwonzora said one of the key benchmarks for elections was the completion of the constitution-making process.

He said there were other issues such as re-staffing of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and security sector reforms.
The MDC faction led by Professor Welshman Ncube said its negotiators were doing their best to bring to finality the negotiating process.
The party is represented by Prof Ncube and secretary-general, Mrs Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga, in the negotiations.

“The MDC-T should not blame anyone because they are equally represented in this dialogue,” said MDC deputy spokesperson, Mr Kurauone Chihwayi.
“That is their own view. As MDC, we are happy that we are making progress. We now have a draft election roadmap with timelines.
“In as much as we may want to have all outstanding issues in the GPA to be implemented, we are happy that this roadmap is a pointer to where we want to go as a country.”

Efforts to get a comment from Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo, were fruitless as his mobile phone was not reachable.
Zanu-PF is represented in the negotiations by its deputy secretary for legal affairs, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, and secretary for transport and welfare, Cde Nicholas Goche.
Zanu-PF says some of the major outstanding issues in the GPA are the removal of illegal sanctions imposed on the country and the stoppage of pirate radio stations beaming hate speech into

Zimbabwe from some Western countries.
The MDC-T is silent over the two issues and the party’s leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai, recently told reporters at a Press conference that he would continue to grant interviews to the pirate radio stations.