The Joint Operation Command which orchestrated the violence that ravaged the country during the disputed Presidential run-off election is set to join the negotiations in South Africa later on this week,according to a source.
The SADC,AU,UN reference group and mediator Thabo Mbeki felt that on top of the political representation to the talks the Joint Operations Command is seen as unifying the security forces, which some say has become the real power in the land as government structures collapsed and any deal has to be endorsed by the five member team.
The Joint Operations Command (JOC) is effectively believed be in day-to-day charge of Zimbabwe’s government.
JOC comprises Gen Constantine Chiwenga, the overall military chief; Augustine Chihuri, the national police commissioner, and Gen Paradzai Zimondi, the commander of the prison service. Air Marshal Perence Shiri, the commander of the air force, who masterminded a brutal military campaign Gukurahundi in the 1983.
Happyton Bonyongwe the director general of the dreaded Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO). He is a retired Brigadier in the Zimbabwe National Army.
It is chaired by Emmerson Mnangagwa,ZANU PF- Chirumanzi–Zibagwe., reputedly the country’s richest man, earning a fortune on investments in Congo ,Malayisia and China. Mnangagwa was a few years ago director the Central Intelligence Organization, during the Gukurahundi massacre.
Meanwhile the negotiating teams have been expanded, Zanu-PF will now be represented by Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche,ZANU PF-Shamva,.
The pair have since been joined by ZANU PF national chairman John Nkomo, Sen. Sydney Sekeramayi,ZANU PF-Mberengwa and Stan Mudenge,ZANU PF-Masvingo South.
MDC Secretary-general Tendai Biti,MDC-T-Harare East and Elton Mangoma,MDC-T-Makoni North will lead the Morgan Tsvangirai MDC. Other members are national chairman Lovemore Moyo,MDC-T-Matobo South women’s assembly chairperson Theresa Makone.,MDC-T-Harare South and Elphas Mukonoweshuro., MDC-T-Gutu South and Jameson Timba,MDC-T-Mount Pleasant.
Welshman Ncube,Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga will be joined by Moses Mzila Ndlovu, MDC-Bulilima and Miriam Mushayi will represent the Mutambara led MDC.
