Why Morgan went south

The intriguing reason why the leader of the MDC flew to South Africa for the day

On the surface it didn't seem a very sensible idea. With the election process in deep crisis, and violence spreading, Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the so-far victorious Movement for Democratic Change, left the country. He got on a plane for South Africa and only returned last night (Monday). But my source in the MDC leadership says he had good reason for going.

It was not to meet President Mbeki, who still prevaricates over the issue of Mugabe, and who in any case was in India. Instead Tsvangirai met with Jacob Zuma, leader of South Africa's ANC and the front runner for the Presidency of the Republic next year.

Tsvangirai knew that he would receive a warm and sympathetic welcome from the controversial Zuma. He hoped that the South African would lend his support to the demand to publish the election results, and would be equally supportive in the drive to rid Zimbabwe of Mugabe. And for some very interesting reasons...

First, Zuma is a Zulu. The Zulu have close historic links with the amaNdebele people of Zimbabwe, who live for the most part in Matabeleland. These are the people who Mugabe has persecuted and killed during Zimbabwe's history as an independent state. Mbeki, on the other hand, is of the Xhosa tribe, who have no links with the Ndelele's.

But there's a second more subtle reason why Zuma would be keen to help. That is, he would like to see the back of Mugabe long before he becomes SA's President. He knows that the longer Mugabe clings to power, the more of an embarrassment and irritant he will be to his neighbours. So he wants him gone now.

My source for this information travelled with Tsvangirai to South Africa, and he tells me: "Zuma showed tremendous interest. He promised to help unlock the deadlock over the election results and negotiate an exit deal for Mugabe."

He said the ANC leader promised to talk to Thabo Mbeki when he returns to Pretoria, but added:"He said he is prepared to break away from Mbeki's much criticised 'quiet diplomacy'. He said this had failed, and leaders who believe in democracy like himself should act now on Mugabe."

All this is excellent news for those who support Tsvangirai and his party's struggle to end the tyranny of Mugabe and Zanu-PF. But I must report what might prove to be a slight problem.

Zuma is a controversial character. In South Africa he has a string of court cases hanging over his head. Media reports from the Republic indicate that he might yet fail to get the top job, that it might instead go to the ANC secretary-general, Kgalema Motlanthe.

But meanwhile, Tsvangirai, who is also planning to visit Tanzania to enlist the support of President Kikwete, knows that with Zuma backing him today he is signicantly strengthened for the struggle ahead.