20100330
SABC

Thulasizwe Simelane, SABC Harare

In a significant breakthrough in Zimbabwe's long-dragging negotiation process, President Robert Mugabe is to swear in commissioners to serve on various democracy support structures.

President Jacob Zuma's mediation team-leader Charles Nqakula says the swearing in of the commissioners is part the time-line agreed in recent negotiations. The three member mediation team is in Harare, overseeing the conclusion of the talks, before a final report is submitted to Zuma tomorrow. They say they are unfazed by public statements made by parties that seem to water down progress made at the negotiation table.

Zanu-PF statements that appear to contradict president Zuma's announcement of a breakthrough seem to suggest there is something not being told to the public by the negotiators. Zuma's mediation team is adamant an agreement in principle was reached.

Observers say Zuma has upped the pressure, as he is not keen to have his presidency overshadowed by the Zimbabwe question like his predecessor Thabo Mbeki. Analysts say South Africa also does not want the Zimbabwe impasse to steal the limelight, when the country hosts the soccer World Cup in June.