Maravi

(HERALD) ‘Deal honestly with GPA issues’

‘Deal honestly with GPA issues’
Herald Reporter

Zanu-PF has urged its partners in the inclusive Government to deal with issues concerning the implementation of the Global Political Agreement with sincerity and at the appropriate levels.

This follows a Press conference by MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai at his party headquarters in Harare yesterday where he levelled veiled accusations at Zanu-PF for frustrating the implementation of the GPA.

However, Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Nathan Shamuyarira last night said it was "unfortunate" that Mr Tsvangirai had made a deliberate attack on President Mugabe, as well as Sadc and the African Union who are the guarantors of the GPA.

"Unfortunately, Mr Tsvangirai has created a problem which can only be handled by President Mugabe, Sadc and the AU.

"He has actually attacked the way the guarantors of the GPA are working on the implementation of the deal," he said.

The Zanu-PF spokesperson said the points raised by Mr Tsvangirai should have been presented at a meeting of the principals or any other persons delegated to deal with such issues.

"The issues should have been presented for discussion.

"The statements are also unfortunate as the people will be disturbed and concerned by the impact of such statements," he said.

Cde Shamuyarira said Mr Tsvangirai had deliberately avoided speaking on important issues like the sanctions that continued to negatively affect Zimbabweans.

"We are trying to establish an irreversible land reform in the country and as Zanu-PF we are suspicious that MDC-T members are trying to reverse it.

"What are needed are mechanisms and strategies that permanently guarantee land remains within the hands of the black people in Zimbabwe."

He said his party was also concerned that MDC-T had failed to uphold its promise in the GPA to call for the removal of sanctions.

"We have gone for more than six months since the formation of the inclusive Government and no action has been taken to remove what they have actually campaigned for.

"They have never made an effort to push for the removal of sanctions and we feel that MDC-T wants to maintain the status quo so that they are in a stronger position if anything happens to the inclusive Government," he said

Cde Shamuyarira said the people of Zimbabwe were anxiously waiting for the removal of sanctions.

Reacting to Mr Tsvangirai’s statements, MDC spokesperson Mr Edwin Mushoriwa, also said his party hoped that any contentious issues should be discussed outside of the upcoming Sadc Summit.

"We believe that the principals should meet to solve these problems as they can be handled internally as long as there is the political will," he said.

Mr Tsvangirai had earlier told the media that his party wanted Roy Bennett — who is facing criminal charges before the courts — to be sworn in as Deputy Agriculture Minister, in addition to a review of the appointments of Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr Gideon Gono and Attorney-General Mr Johannes Tomana.

He also dismissed the reality of sanctions, saying they were merely "restrictive measures" being used by Zanu-PF to apportion blame on his party.

Mr Tsvangirai raised eyebrows when he said his party was not tied to the agreement and had only entered it because of pressure from Sadc.

Observers at the Press conference pointed out that they thought MDC-T had signed the GPA because of their concern for Zimbabwe’s development and not for "political expediency". Mr Tsvangirai, however, acknowledged that the inclusive Government had made significant progress since its formation.

"Our wish is to continue with the restoration of hope to the people of Zimbabwe," he said.

Mr Tsvangirai called on Sadc leaders meeting in the DRC next week to place Zimbabwe on their agenda.

He added that South African President Jacob Zuma’s recent visit to Zimbabwe had nothing to do with the outstanding issues.

Labels: GLOBAL POLITICAL AGREEMENT, SANCTIONS, ZANU-PF, ZDERA

posted by MrK @ 5:47 PM