John Nyashanu: SABC Zimbabwe 

A fresh row has erupted in Zimbabwe's unity government after president Robert Mugabe reassigned functions of ministers, in a move that the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party believes is meant to weaken their position.

Major changes include assigning the contentious Electoral Act from the MDC to Zanu-PF as well as telecommunications interceptions, also going to Zanu-PF. However, a further attempt to nullify the election of the MDC's speakership of Parliament failed today, following a High Court ruling in Harare. 

With both Zanu PF and the MDC talking about elections, strategic roles have changed hands. The Electoral Act came under the Ministry of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs controlled by the MDC. Now it is under Zanu-PF’s Justice Ministry and the ICT ministry has lost control of telecommunications interceptions. 

According to MDC spokesperson Nelson Chamisa, the move is an attempt to have the MDC as a mere passenger and have people being appointed ministers without responsibilities. But some say Mugabe is well within his rights, as the power-sharing agreement does not water down his executive prerogative. 

Jonathan Moyo of the Zanu-PF says not only is Mugabe within his rights, but this is also a right that was exercised a long time ago.