MDC'S REPONSE TO THE SADC COMMUNIQUE OF THE 27TH OF JANUARY 2009, TSHWANE SOUTH AFRICA

We came to this summit with five {5} outstanding issues which are:

1. The Enactment of Constitutional Amendment Number 19
2. The definition of National Security Council legislation
3. Equitable allocation of portfolio ministries
4. The appointment of Provincial Governors and other senior positions.
5. The Breaches of the MOU and the GPA

It was our expectation that the SADC processes would be above board and be beyond reproach. Regrettably once again we note that Mr. Mugabe was allowed to sit in during the closed session of the plenary meetings. Thus once again Mr. Mugabe has been unfairly allowed to be a judge in his own cause.

As far as the merits are concerned, our expectations were again that SADC would come up with a just resolution to the outstanding issues in the interest of Zimbabwe and all the parties concerned.

Quite clearly the conclusions reached as reflected in the communiqué fall far short of our expectations. Most importantly they do not accord with our National Council resolutions of the 14th of November 2008 and 12th of December 2008.

It is important that finality be brought to this issue and therefore our National Council will meet on Friday 30th of January 2008 to define the party position.

Statement issued by the Movement for Democratic Change, January 27 2009