ZIMBABWE'S RIVAL leaders will be put under strong pressure this weekend to resolve the issues blocking the implementation of the country's new powersharing agreement, a South African government spokesperson said yesterday.
After a number of failed attempts to break the continuing political deadlock, a full South African Development Community summit of the region's 15 leaders has been scheduled for Sunday.
Despite signing a powersharing deal nearly two months ago, Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai have been unable to agree on how key ministries should be divided between their parties.
"This is becoming a matter of extreme concern to us and we will be taking quite a hard stance to make sure that agreement is reached," spokesman Themba Maseko told reporters in Cape Town following a cabinet meeting.
The Movement for Democratic Change claims Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party wants to control the two ministries that oversee the security forces - defence and home affairs. The MDC says they should be shared to provide balance between the parties. Zanu-PF has refused to relinquish control of home affairs, and as a result, the MDC has refused to take part in the unity government.
However, a number of regional leaders have become increasingly frustrated with the lack of compromise shown by Mr Mugabe, given that his country is standing on the brink of a self-inflicted humanitarian disaster.
On Monday, Botswana's president Ian Khama called for a rerun of the disputed March presidential elections, which he said should be conducted under international supervision to ensure an acceptable outcome.
"We strongly believe that the one viable way forward in Zimbabwe is to have a rerun of the presidential election under full international sponsorship and supervision," he said.
The message of intent delivered by Mr Maseko is the first clear signal that South Africa's "quiet diplomacy" approach, which was adopted by former president Thabo Mbeki, may be replaced by a tougher form of mediation.
Mr Maseko said that South Africa and the region could not "be held to ransom by three parties that are failing to reach agreement on the allocation of cabinet posts".
Mr Mbeki's quiet approach appears to have been dropped in the wake of his sacking as South Africa's president in September. The two-times president was replaced by ANC deputy president Kjalema Motlanthe, who will stand in until next year's general election.
Mr Motlanthe is a close ally of ANC leader Jacob Zuma, who many tip to be South Africa's next president.
"I think the region should say to the Zimbabwe leaders that enough is enough. You must resolve this matter, you can't leave South Africa without resolving this matter," Mr Zuma said this week.
The controversial Mr Zuma replaced Mr Mbeki as ANC leader last December in a divisive battle that led to a recent split in the ruling party.