Addressing journalists in Harare on Tuesday, the National
Constitutional Assembly Chairperson Lovemore Madhuku who spoke on behalf of the civil society said:"We wholeheartedly reject the suggestion of a power-sharing agreement that fails to immediately address the inadequacy of the current constitutional regime."
Madhuku added that the current political environment must be preceded by the cessation of violence, restoration of law and order and facilitation of humanitarian relief.

"We believe that a transitional government would provide an
appropriate vehicle for ushering democratic reform. The transitional authority would have a specific, limited mandate to oversee the drafting of a new, democratic and people-driven constitution and the installation of a legitimate government." Madhuku said.

The declaration by the civil society comes in the midst of efforts to broker talks between the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and the ruling party ZANU PF in negotiations that are being facilitated by South African President Thabo Mbeki.

The two parties have laid conditions for talks where the ruling party is calling for the recognition of President Mugabe as the winner of the disputed June 27 presidential election.

Mugabe won a landslide victory last month in a vote that was
ultimately boycotted by Tsvangirai and denounced by Western nations.

Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change says pro-Mugabe militia have killed at least 113 of its supporters.
The opposition has demanded for the expansion of the mediation team to include a permanent African Union representative and an immediate release of jailed supporters before the resumption of talks.

The civil society says the political standoff between the political parties is not helping the ordinary citizens who are suffering as a result of the economic collapse and political violence which claimed scores of lives and the loss of property in the run up to the June 27 elections.

The grouping of civil society says a transitional government should include a leadership by a neutral body, broader representation, specific and limited mandate, a people driven constitutional development, restoration of good governance and transitional justice initiatives.

Churches reject 27 June results Meanwhile in a statement, Zimbabwe's Christian community has rejected President Robert Mugabe's re-election last month as marred by violence
and intimidation and expressed support for efforts to form a
government of national unity.

"We, the churches of Zimbabwe, stand ready and committed to partner with all efforts that will result in a transitional authority and subsequently a government of national unity, to bring peace stability and reconciliation within the nation," the church statement said.

Heads of the church community said: "People were subjected to the most traumatic forms of violence that included torture, murder, abductions, displacement and psychological trauma."
"Based on the reality of the conditions prevailing on the ground, our conclusion is that the will of the people of Zimbabwe was not given authentic expression during these elections."

Pockets of violence continue to be recorded in the aftermath of the June 27 elections with more discoveries of murdered opposition activists.