Zuma seeks to ease Harare rifts

Morgan Tsvangirai (L) and Robert Mugabe (R) entered a power-sharing deal in 2009

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma is in Harare to ease tensions between Zimbabwe’s rival leaders.

Zimbabwe’s mediator arrived a day after Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai took President Robert Mugabe to court over the appointment of regional governors.

Mr Tsvangirai says he should have been consulted over the appointments under the power-sharing deal which saw him become prime minister.

Mr Mugabe’s allies have dismissed the claims.

The case is the latest sign of worsening relations between the long-time rivals.

“In my humble view, submission and plea, all of this is plain, clear and simple. Wherever the Constitution obliges the President to act in consultation with me as Prime Minister, he must first secure my agreement,” Mr Tsvangirai said in court papers, reports the AFP news agency.

The BBC’s Brian Hungwe in Harare says both leaders have been increasingly critical and outspoken about the failures of the power-sharing agreement – with both calling for an early election.

Last month Mr Mugabe said that the coalition deal should not be renewed when it expires in February.

They agreed to form a unity government after the country’s economy collapsed following disputed elections in 2008.

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A key part of the deal was to draft a new constitution.

But the process of agreeing a new constitution has been halted following repeated reports of political violence.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Tendai Biti told journalists that Zimbabwe had the finances to cover a poll next year.

“We have put money for elections, of course and for referendums,” Mr Biti told journalists after presenting his 2011 budget.

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