Maravi

Mugabe did not sell out - Ndlovu

Mugabe did not sell out - Ndlovu
Our reporter/The Chronicle
Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:29:00 +0000

THE Minister of Information and Publicity has hit back at President Robert Mugabe’s critics who accused him of ‘selling out’ by entering into a power-sharing deal with the two opposition Movement for Democratic Change formations.

Calling on all Zimbabweans to put national interest ahead of their own, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, who is also a Zanu PF Politburo member, told The Chronicle newspaper: “I want to dispell all unfortunate or misdirected statements to the effect that this negotiated settlement is a way of selling out.”

He added that a lot of work and effort had been put into the power-sharing arrangement which was facilitated by former South African President, Thabo Mbeki.

“It is unfortunate that people can make such statements when there was a lot of work that went into coming up with that agreement brokered by Mr Mbeki, who was sincere and patient to the wishes of Zimbabweans,” he said.

Dr Ndlovu also attacked members of the Zanu PF party who had either defected or did not campaign vigorously to win the harmonised March 29 election which saw the opposition MDC-T party gaining a slim majority in Parliament.

“If the truth be told, the biggest sellout is the one who did not make the party win. If we had a clear majority in Parliament we would not have to be placed in such an embarrassing situation, which President Mugabe has alluded to before. We should have gotten the vote to avoid this excruciating arrangement.’’

The minister said the deal was predicated on national, not individual or sectoral interests and individuals should refrain from looking at what position(s) they will get from the deal.

“People should not look at themselves and say what position will I get or not get out of the powers-haring deal. They should bear in mind that this deal is in the national interest in the same manner that the Unity Accord between PF Zapu and Zanu PF in 1987 was.

Dr Ndlovu reminded people that he was a member of PF Zapu’s Central Committee before the 1987 Unity and did not immediately get a post – in the Central Committee or in Government – soon after the signing of the Accord. He said revolutionaries are selfless and focus on the good of the people.

“Some of us were members of the Central Committee of PF Zapu before the Unity Accord of 1987 but we were not negotiating for our own positions. After the merger, we had no positions in the Central Committee let alone in Government,” he said.

“A true revolutionary is selfless and always wants to see that something good is done for the people not himself or herself.”

The veteran politician also attacked critics within the ruling Zanu PF party and media organisations that are saying the new power-sharing arrangement negated the 1987 Unity Accord and said their voices were too late because the deal had already been brokered. He said they should have aired their sentiments before the 9/11 signing of the power-sharing deal between Zanu PF and the two formations of the MDC.

“We cannot lose sight of the Unity Accord of 1987 and those who are disgruntled should have been trying to influence the negotiations while they were going on and not to make statements on the sidelines now.

“We could not deliver the votes, contribute more MPs as this would even have strengthened the unity but at the same time this is not to say we should forget about the Unity Accord because people from the region did not vote for Zanu PF.

“We have to strengthen the unity bequeathed to us by the likes of Dr Joshua Nkomo and he warned us not to throw it away. I am happy to say President Mugabe is committed to that unity,” said Dr Ndlovu.

He said the power-sharing arrangement did not mean that the parties had lost their individual ideologies and identities

“We remain separate entities. That is why we need the party to be strong and are busy involved in the restructuring of our party Zanu PF, which is the party of the past, the present and the future. The party must be strong and focused.”

This statement was in line with the current exercise of restructuring the Zanu PF party in the Bulawayo Province which he is heading together with senior Zanu PF officials from the region.

The Information minister also hit at the US for maintaining a sanctions regime on Zimbabwe that is hurting the ordinary population, and said both foreigners and Zimbabweans alike should respect the sovereignty of our country. He said the negotiated political settlement should not compromise Zimbabwe’s sovereignty.

“Even though we have a deal, we cannot compromise for instance on the sovereignty of our nation.

“That is why for instance, I want to urge the United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr James McGee, to concentrate on talking about the financial problems afflicting his country and let Zimbabweans decide their destiny.

“Zimbabweans should ignore his sentiments on the United States not lifting sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe and concentrate on productivity as we are starting a farming season now.”

Labels: MUGABE, NATIONAL UNITY GOVERNMENT, SIKHANYISO NDLOVU

posted by MrK @ 6:16 PM