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MDC secretary general, Tendai Biti said Zanu (PF) had imposed a de facto state of emergency in Zimbabwe in which opposition political activists were tortured and detained without trial.

"This has made the whole process of an all-inclusive government under the power-sharing deal virtually impossible," he said yesterday, refuting allegations the party's top organ was meeting in South Africa on whether or not to join the all-inclusive government under the power-sharing framework.

Biti said he and MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai were currently in South Africa on separate missions and that his party remained committed to the Sadc brokered settlement provided the intransigent Zanu (PF) behaved in good faith.

"We are part of the process but so far, contrary to political commentators' assertions, Zanu(PF) is making the whole progress impossible by its behaviour.

"They have instituted a de facto state of emergency in the country in which they have continued to detain members of the MDC without trial, ignore court orders for their release on bail and have access to doctors for treatment," he said.

MDC members including activists Jestina Mukoko have been in prison since they were abducted early last month on alleged charges of recruiting members for military training in Botswana, a treason charge that carries a death penalty.

Biti said all charges against more than a dozen members of MDC were trumped up as prosecutors were failing to sustain their argument. An investigation by Sadc security organ into allegations that Botswana was training Zimbabwean dissidents was last month dismissed as lacking integrity.

He denied reports doing rounds that they were meeting in South Africa to take a decision on their participation in an all-inclusive government adding his party would only take part in the process if outstanding issues have been addressed.

These include that all members arrested, including Mukoko be charged and if they are not guilty be released. Unless that happens, Biti reiterated his party's stance not to engage in 'useless' talks with Zanu(PF).

MDC also want the issue of 10 provincial governors resolved, co-chair of security apparatus and that former President Thabo Mbeki recuse himself from future mediation and that President Kgalema Motlanthe takes over.

He also dismissed moves by President Robert Mugabe to fire certain ministers as a window dressing saying the portfolio balance still remained a hot potato.

Mugabe this week fired among others, the ministers of Finance, Agriculture, Information and Publicity, Mines and Education in a gesture interpreted he was paving way for MDC portfolios.

Biti also rubbished talk of on-going power-struggle within MDC as a figment of prophets of doom's imagination.

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