Mbeki's Zimbabwe mediation undermined: analyst

Mugabe and Tsvangirai have entered into talks to resolve the Zimbabwe crisis

The media may have undermined the role of President Thabo Mbeki's mediation in the Zimbabwean political crisis, according to Electoral Institute of Southern Africa political analyst, Victor Shale.

This comes amid reports that the SADC mandated talks aimed at finding a settlement to Zimbabwe's political crisis, are nearing a positive end. Shale says Mbeki's mediation was undermined by interested parties and media reports that his efforts were biased. The South African Foreign Affairs Department has confirmed that Mbeki will be in Zimbabwe tomorrow.

The department has declined to comment on speculation that Mbeki's trip to Harare tomorrow has been arranged to conclude a governing deal for Zimbabwe. Mbeki is scheduled to meet with President Robert Mugabe and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai in the Zimbabwe capital before returning to South Africa on Sunday.

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Ronnie Mamoepa says tomorrow's meeting is part of SADC-mandated power-sharing talks under the facilitation of Mbeki. Talks between Zanu-PF and the MDC in South Africa are said to be progressing 'extremely well'.