MDC Ends National Crusades on High Note

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

By SARAH NCUBE

Published: November 3, 2009

ZIMBABWE – HARARE – The MDC put a cap on its national rallies with its 56th session in Manicaland last weekend.

The feedback and consultative rallies ended at the weekend with thousands turning up for the last 56 rallies that were held across the country.

The rallies, that started mid September in order to get feed-back MDC from MDC supporters and the people of Zimbabwe on whether the party should remain in the inclusive government formed over eight months ago or not.

Addressing over 15 000 people at Rimbi grounds in Musikavanhu constituency, Manicaland province, MDC Vice-President, Thokozani Khupe said the MDC would continue to deliver real change to the people of Zimbabwe using none violent means.

“For 10 years we have been in a very difficult race. Thorns were strewn along our path, enemies ensnared us and there were numerous dangerous potholes. This did not however deter us; we soldiered on, never faltering, rising swiftly whenever we were pushed down,” Khupe said.

“The truth of the matter is that it is our movement that won the elections on 29 March 2008. It is however, unfortunate that our opponents could not believe it and agitated for a rerun.”

Khupe stressed that the MDC had formed the inclusive government in order to come up with a new people-drive new Constitution, democratise Zimbabwe, heal the nation, to stabilise the economic environment.

“As leadership we have no power to tell you how you should be governed. The power lies in the people who elect us to represent and work for them.

“The will of the people must be respected. This is the first reason why we entered into the inclusive government that we write our own Constitution that will lead to free and fair elections.

“We also formed the inclusive government in order to democratise Zimbabwe and to set all commissions responsible for various duties such as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Zimbabwe Media Commission and the Human Rights Commissions that protect the rights of the people and make sure no one is deprived of such rights.

She said the current public media; in particular The Herald and ZBC continued to act as an extension of Zanu PF.

“We also want to democratise existing institutions like the army and the police force so that they keep law and order and make sure all citizens are living peacefully. Police officers do not belong to any particular political party and hence should discharge their duties in a manner is professional without selective application of the law,” she said.

Speaking at the same occasion, deputy Treasurer, Elton Mangoma, said the MDC was concerned by the continued persecution of MDC senior officials and supporters.

Explaining the party’s decision to disengage with Zanu PF, Mangoma said there was no government without the MDC.

“We can not pull out from the inclusive government because we are the government. How can we pull out from ourselves?” he said.

Also present at the rally was deputy Secretary General, Tapiwa Mashakada who explained why they had disengaged from Zanu PF and said the MDC wanted to see the inclusive government work again with the full implementation of all outstanding issues in the Global Political Agreement (GPA).

Meanwhile MDC secretary-general, Tendai Biti addressed two rallies in Midlands province.

On Saturday, Biti was at Mbizo 4 Business Centre where he addressed more than 8 000 people.

“Since independence, Zanu PF has failed to bring economic stability. Zanu PF has devaluated our currency and has caused hyperinflation,” he said.

However, he said the MDC would do everything to unlock the crisis caused by Zanu PF that had crippled the country.

The rally was attended by Mbizo MP, Settlement Chikwinya and Kuwadzana West MP, Lucia Matibenga.

Biti also addressed another rally Simana Primary School in Silobela.

MDC national spokesperson addressed over 10 000 people at Chinhoyi Stadium where he also said there was need for all the people of Zimbabwe to participate in the drafting of a new people Constitution.

In Matabeleland North province, Seiso Moyo encouraged the people of Ntabazinduna to keep rallying behind the MDC and to remain patient until real change is brought to Zimbabwe.

Speaking during a rally at Ntabazinduna, Moyo said although the economy seemed to be improving, there remained some stumbling blocks in the fulfilment of the GPA.

“Zanu PF is trying to frustrate the progress in the inclusive government by unwilling to fully implement the GPA,” said Moyo.

“The MDC wants the people to understand what is really transpiring around them, that MDC is not being treated as an equal partner in government and that we remain subject of government criticism when there really is not much change in the inclusive government.

“The MDC has not disengaged from Zanu PF in order to make the people of Zimbabwe suffer. The country needs responsible leaders who will submit to agreements therefore it is important to keep pressing for outstanding issues,” said Moyo. The Zimbabwe Telegraph.