Articles | Mugabe 'threatening power deal'

Mugabe 'threatening power deal'

Published: Saturday, 11 October 2008, 12:56PM

Robert Mugabe has earmarked three top jobs for his own party, threatening Zimbabwe's power-sharing deal.

A government notice on Saturday showed Mr Mugabe has allocated the ministries for defence, home affairs and finance to his ruling Zanu-PF party.

The home affairs ministry is in charge of the troubled southern African country's police force, while the finance ministry will play a key role in rebuilding Zimbabwe's shattered economy.

The move could derail a power-sharing deal thrashed out after months of violent unrest following a controversial presidential election.

Mr Mugabe and main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai have been deadlocked over how to share key ministries and have agreed to call in former South African president Thabo Mbeki to mediate.

MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the opposition had not agreed to the allocation, saying: "This is Zanu-PF's arrogant wish list that puts the whole deal into jeopardy. It is unilateral, contemptuous and outrageous."

He added: "The MDC totally and absolutely rejects this nonsense. ZANU-PF is taking people for a ride and there is a price for that."

The power-sharing deal allows Mr Mugabe, who has held power since Zimbabwe won independence from Britain in 1980, to retain the presidency and chair the cabinet.

Mr Tsvangirai, as prime minister, will head a council of ministers supervising the cabinet.

Zanu-PF will have 15 seats in the cabinet, Tsvangirai's MDC 13 and a splinter MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara three posts, giving the opposition a combined majority.