Zimbabwe: Gov’t, opposition holds talks in South Africa

(SomaliNet) In the first the talks aimed at laying the groundwork for negotiations to resolve Zimbabwe\'s political crisis, were the first since Mugabe won another term as president in a June 27 poll widely denounced as a sham, Zimbabwe\'s ruling party and opposition held a second day of talks in South Africa on Friday.


The talks held in Pretoria South Africa, had been kept under wraps as the parties set conditions for negotiations.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change\'s (MDC) chief spokesperson in SA, Nqobizitha Mlilo, said on Friday the party\'s chief negotiator, MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti, would return home earlier in the day and \"should be\" back in Zimbabwe.

Asked whether that meant the day\'s talks had ended, he said: \"It\'s my understanding that the meetings have finished already.\" He was unable to say whether further meetings were planned, and Biti could not be reached for comment.

The MDC has insisted substantive negotiations could take place only if violence is halted and over 1 500 \"political prisoners\" are released.

It has also called for an expanded mediation team, including an African Union (AU) permanent envoy and the swearing in of lawmakers, as the opposition now controls parliament.

\"Those are the issues, that\'s the sole agenda. There is no substantive agenda,\" Mlilo said.

President Thabo Mbeki is the region\'s long-time mediator between the opposition and Mugabe\'s ruling party.

South African government officials - though not Mbeki himself - were involved in Thursday\'s discussions in Pretoria, said presidential spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga.

\"They [talks] are going on, yes they are taking place,\" said Ratshitanga, confirming the second day of talks had begun yesterday.

Zanu-PF was represented by Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa and Labour Minister Nicholas Goche, and the MDC by Biti and deputy treasurer-general Elton Mangoma.

Zanu-PF has refused to comment on the talks.

Mugabe was re-elected in last month\'s run-off after MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out, citing a wave of attacks against his supporters that killed dozens and injured thousands.

On Friday, the MDC said a total of 113 supporters had now been killed in politically related violence.

The UN\'s refugee agency also said yesterday that increasing numbers of people have fled Zimbabwe since the June 27 vote, and several have shown signs of beating or torture.

Tsvangirai confirmed in a statement that the MDC would set preconditions for further talks. - Sapa-AFP