MDC committed to Mbeki mediation

MDC committed to Mbeki mediation - Chamisa

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By Torby Chimhashu

A FACTION of the splintered Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) insists it has faith in South African President Thabo Mbeki's SADC-mandated mediation to resolve the Zimbabwe crisis.

Nelson Chamisa, a spokesman for the MDC faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai, dismissed as "desperate" a story in the state-run Sunday Mail which said talks were doomed because the MDC faction was backtracking.

Chamisa told New Zimbabwe.com: "This is a serious distortion. The MDC and its president Morgan Tsvangirai are solidly behind President Mbeki's efforts to help restore the country where it was before.

"The story by the Sunday Mail is what has become predictable of the state media which has never missed an opportunity to spew propaganda aimed at scuttling progress."

The Sunday Mail twisted an interview held by brutalised former Daily News news editor Luke Tamborinyoka with London-based SW Radio Africa in which he slammed the Southern African Development Community (SADC) for failing to act on Zimbabwe.

Tamborinyoka is MDC information officer but was interviewed in his personal capacity to reflect on his torture by Zimbabwean police.

The award-winning journalist spent 71 days at the Harare Remand Prison facing charges of "manufacturing petrol bombs".

But Chamisa said the MDC was aware that the state media, at the behest of Zanu PF, would go "to the ends of the earth" to divide and tarnish the MDC ahead of the crucial presidential elections slated for March 2008.

Chamisa said the MDC will hold a media briefing later Tuesday on progress made in its diplomatic offensive and the launch of its presidential campaign.

Sources within the MDC have indicated that Tsvangirai will defer the launch of his campaign set for this weekend, to a later date, preferring to wait for the outcome of the talks.

Talks between Zanu PF and the two factions of the MDC have entered the final leg. South African leader Thabo Mbeki is expected to give his report at the end of the month.

The talks were called by SADC who appointed Mbeki as the mediator between Zimbabwe's major political players.

Zanu PF is represented by Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Labour and Social Welfare Minister Nicholas Tasunungurwa Goche.

The two MDC factions have sent their respective secretary generals Tendai Biti and Welshman Ncube.
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