afrol News, 26 October - Once again, the SADC mediator of the Zimbabwan crisis [President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa] has missed his deadline to secure a deal between the ruling Zanu-PF and the main opposition Democratic Change (MDC).

Mbeki had set aside the end of October as the deadline for concluding a peace deal between Zanu-PF and MDC.

But according to 'The Zimbabwean', continued state-sponsored repression has been one of the major obstacles to Mbeki's efforts.

In the face of mounting state-sponsored violence, the MDC has questioned the sincerity of Zanu-PF and has threatened to pull out of the talks if Mbeki fails to urgently address the problem.

Lask week South African leader scolded Mugabe over his failure to act against the anti-MDC violence by his supporters, police, green bombers and other state security agents. But the situation is yet to improve.

The Zimbabwean government's failure to repeal or amend the draconian security and media laws has infuriated the MDC, which had been baffled to support the 18th constitutional [controversial] amendment in return for the scrapping of the laws. The amendments were unanimously passed by parliament last month.

The MDC's agreement to support the controversial amendment caused a crisis in the relationship between the opposition and civil society.

Mbeki has always been accused of maintaining secret diplomacy in tackling the looming political and economic crisis in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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