The SADC Summit in Maputo failed to deal conclusively with the issue of Zanu-PF's attempt to re-write the draft Constitution on its own after it had been agreed by the three parties' negotiators.

We understand all principals of the GPA addressed the SADC Organ Troika on Politics Defense and Security Co-operation, with the MDCs sticking to their guns that the draft constitution could only be amended by the All-Stakeholders Conference, Zanu (PF) wanting to re-open negotiations on the draft constitution, and Arthur Mutambara fighting to remain a principal in the face of a snub by Jacob Zuma in Harare.

President Jacob Zuma had to go back to South Africa following the shooting of 34 striking miners in a standoff with the Police, so the issue of Zimbabwe was not dealt with by the fully except to note that there was progress.

The Zanu (PF) propaganda newspaper, The Herald, continued its lobbying with interviews with opponents of the new constitution saying that the Zanu (PF) concerns have to be addressed otherwise there would be no All-Stakeholders Conference.

But the MDC spokesman, Douglas Mwonzora could not be clearer on the issue.

He said Article 6 of the GPA was clear that after the production of the draft it is referred to the Second All-Stakeholders Conference and there is no provision for amendments by parties because doing so would be tantamount to rewriting the draft, even according to The Herald.

Mutambara complained that Jacob Zuma  had sidelined him, effectively unilaterally deciding that Professor Welshman Ncube was the MDC principal, yet the matter was still pending before the Supreme Court which is the final legal authority.

“Anyone who undermines the Supreme Court by making a deter­mination on a pending issue is violating Zimbabwe’s laws and Consti­tution. I am the one who appended my signature to the GPA and it is high time we separated things that are legal from those that are political," he said.

President Armando Guebuza of Mozambique has now taken over as chairman of the SADC and Tanzania's Kikwete has taken over as chairman of the Organ Troika, thrus presenting an opportunity that there might be movement on Zimbabwe as both countries are not beholden to Mugabe.

If the impasse on the Stakeholder's Conference continues, it will have to be referred to Kikwete through the Facilitator Jacob Zuma.

Civil society activists were also in Maputo lobbying SADC leaders to put a fullstop on the Zimbabwean process and Zimbabwean activists are targeting Mozambique with demonstrations this Tuesday to demand action on Zimbabwe.