'We aren't interested in coalition talks with opposition,' says Zim VP

Zimbabwe's vice president Kembo Mohadi has dismissed claims that President Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) are in talks for a unity government.

Daily News reported recently that Mnangagwa was holding private talks with Chamisa.

Unnamed sources were quoted as saying that the talking between the two had already kicked off and Chamisa had already appointed a high powered team to talk with the ruling Zanu-PF party.

But, according to the state-owned Herald newspaper, Mohadi said the government did not have any interest in a coalition government. He, however, said that the MDC was welcome to approach Zanu-PF for talks.

"We haven't heard anything of that sort or an approach from those that would want a Government of National Unity with us.

"But if they want to discuss with us they can come, but certainly not on a GNU because we have got the mandate emanating from the two thirds majority in Parliament. We can do it alone unlike in 2008 where we had a sort of hung Parliament. This time there isn’t going to be that kind of arrangement," Mohadi was quoted as saying.

Mohadi also said that the MDC had to first recognise Mnangagwa as the country’s leader before any talks kicked off.

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