South Africa expressed the hope Wednesday that the ruling and opposition parties in Zimbabwe will hammer out a unity government this week, said reports from Pretoria, the administrative capital.

Speaking at a press conference in Pretoria, South African President Kgalema Motlanthe said "We are hopeful that such an inclusive government will be put in place this week."

"Once it is in place, we believe it will create the possibility of dealing with the real problems," the president said.

South Africa, chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is mandated by the bloc to mediate in the political negotiations by Zimbabwe rival parties to form a unity government.

In accordance with the power-sharing deal signed by the rival parties in Zimbabwe, a unity government will be formed to end the political crisis in the country. Months after the signing of the deal, the rival parties are still divided in allocation of ministries among them.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe is likely to form an all- inclusive government anytime this week following the gazetting of Constitutional Amendment Number 19 Bill, Zimbabwe Minister of Information and Publicity Sikhanyiso Ndlovu said on Sunday.

Speaking in an interview with the local media The Chronicle in Bulawayo, Ndlovu said Mugabe would appoint the Cabinet soon.

He urged the opposition parties, MDC (the Movement for Democratic Change) -T and MDC to participate in the formation of the new government.

Constitutional Amendment Number 19 was gazetted on Saturday and will be tabled in Parliament soon.

"We are in the process of forming a new government which will include (ruling) Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations. President Mugabe will appoint a Cabinet anytime now because that's in accordance with the Amendment Number 19," said Ndlovu.

He said Zimbabweans deserved to be praised for displaying tenacity on the all-inclusive government.

In terms of Clause 15 of the proposed law, the executive shall consist of a president, two vice presidents, prime minister, two deputy prime ministers, 31 ministers and 15 deputy ministers.

Mugabe shall occupy the presidency and he or Zanu-PF will nominate the vice presidents. MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai shall occupy the office of prime minister while his party and MDC will each have a member become deputy prime minister.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2008)