Talks on hold to accommodate Chinamasa holiday

The ruling Zanu PF party has requested the postponement of mediation talks between itself and the MDC, because chief negotiator Patrick Chinamasa is on holiday. Earlier in the week South African president Thabo Mbeki personally took charge of the talks in an attempt to save them from collapse. Sources say he intended to chair this weeks meeting in person and try to use his influence to clear outstanding issues.