Mbeki to resume Zim mediation
2008-10-03 19:13
Special Report
A judge says allegations the main witness was tortured can be raised in Roy Bennett's trial that has shaken Zimbabwe's coalition government.
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe says he doesn't expect the US sanctions on his country to be lifted soon.
Johannesburg - Former South African president Thabo Mbeki has agreed to resume his mediation in Zimbabwe's political crisis, his spokesperson said on Friday.
Spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga said Mbeki had agreed to resume his role as mediator for the neighbouring country.
He said the mediation would begin as soon as was practically possible.
"Mbeki treats that matter with the greatest urgency," said Ratshitanga.
Last month Mbeki resigned as SA president after being axed by the African National Congress.
On Thursday new SA President Kgalema Motlanthe said he fully supported Mbeki's role as SADC mediator in the Zimbabwean dialogue.
"Our government has full confidence in Mr Mbeki's ability to build on the historic successes already made in the power-sharing negotiations under his mediation.
"Mr Mbeki's facilitation efforts in Zimbabwe have proven his dispassionate vision for a lasting political solution to the challenges facing Zimbabwe," Motlanthe said in a statement.
Power-sharing talks have stalled in Zimbabwe after the two parties, the Movement for Democratic Change and Zanu-PF failed to agree on the allocation of key ministries.
This week the MDC called for Mbeki to intervene to salvage the power-sharing deal; a call Zanu-PF apparently rejected.
Mbeki mediated the deal signed on September 15 by President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to form a unity government.
- SAPA