MDC's Call For Mbeki to Step Down as Mediator Slammed

Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF has criticised the opposition the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)'s call for former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, to step down as the Southern African Development Community mediator.

The MDC says it wants Mbeki to recuse himself, charging that he seems not to understand how desperate the situation in Zimbabwe is.

The MDC says Mbeki's ''suggested'' solutions are inadequate. The call was reportedly prompted by a letter Mbeki wrote to MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.


In the correspondence, Mbeki allegedly reprimands Tsvangirai for criticising regional leaders and accusing them of telling President Robert Mugabe to share power with the MDC.

MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa has denied media reports that the party has quit the power-sharing talks. He says they are committed to the talks and finding a settlement.

Despite uneasy exchanges of letters between the Tsvangirai faction and Mbeki, the office of the President says talks are continuing.

* SABC