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(THEZIMBABWETIMES) Moyo calls MDC leaders “blithering idiots” Moyo calls MDC leaders “blithering idiots”

Moyo calls MDC leaders “blithering idiots” Moyo calls MDC leaders “blithering idiots”
September 16, 2009
By Raymond Maingire

HARARE – Former Information Minister and independent legislator for Tsholotsho North Jonathan Moyo has branded the mainstream MDC politicians “blithering idiots” for claiming they helped him secure his parliamentary seat during the March 2008 elections.

The MDC says it entered into a gentlemen’s agreement with Moyo by not fielding a candidate in that constituency. The MDC says the move was intended to deny archrival Zanu-PF what appeared to be an imminent victory in a constituency where its (MDC)
splinter faction led by Deputy Prime Minster Arthur Mutambara was equally strong.

“Those who say that are blithering idiots,” Moyo told the Zimbabwe Times Monday when asked to comment if recent press reports he had applied to rejoin Zanu PF were true.

Moyo refused completely to discuss the subject, preferring to concentrate on the claims by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC.

“I never entered into any agreement with anyone. That’s rubbish. They took their own decision,” Moyo said.

“They did not put a candidate in Tsholotsho North, yes. But they went on not to put a candidate in Tsholotsho South. Are they trying to say
they were also helping me by not putting a candidate next door?

“Common sense says you must assist yourself first before you can think of assisting any other person.

“Who told them they have supporters in Tsholotsho? There is no evidence at all that they had any votes in Tsholotsho.

“To explain my point, Tsvangirai fielded candidates for a senatorial seat in Tsholotsho and rural councils who all did dismally.”

Moyo says by not fielding a candidate in his constituency, the MDC actually denied him the pleasure of registering a resounding victory.

“I actually wish they had put a candidate in Tsholotsho North because the candidate for MDC-M who really gave me a good run for my money came close to me after benefiting a lot from the MDC-Tsvangirai’s votes as there was no other MDC they could vote for.”

Moyo said the Tsvangirai led MDC would have suffered a huge embarrassment of becoming last if it had fielded a candidate in the
constituency.

Moyo received 3 532 votes, defeating Mgezelwa Ncube the candidate of the Arthur Mutambara faction of the MDC and Zanu-PF’s Alice Dube who garnered 3 305 and 2 085 votes, respectively.

Moyo refused point-blank to discuss his reapplication to rejoin Zanu PF, a party he departed from ignominiously after defying a leadership directive he should not contest the same Tsholotsho seat in 2005.

“As a matter of principle, I don’t comment on what other people say,” he said. “I am no the one who has said it. Call the Zimbabwe Independent (newspaper) and ask if it is true. “I will not dignify somebody’s story. You journalists start something and think we have a burden to explain it.”

Zanu-PF chairman John Nkomo confirmed on Thursday, September 10, that Moyo had submitted his letter to the party’s secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa.

Moyo had been writing long articles in the state media in which he viciously attacked both MDC parties and showered President Robert Mugabe and Zanu-PF with praise.

“Yes, he wrote to VaMutasa three weeks ago after Vice President Msika’s funeral,” Nkomo said.

He said Moyo’s application would then be presented to the Zanu-PF politburo, which in turn would refer it to him as party chairman and head of the party’s disciplinary committee.

But even as Moyo refused to comment on his application, the State-controlled Herald newspaper, which is privileged with both government and Zanu-PF confidential information, reported that the politburo would discuss Moyo’s possible readmission at its next meeting.

Zanu-PF secretary for administration, Didymus Mutasa described Moyo as an “important asset” to the party.

“I do not think it is necessary for the politburo to punish people like him. It (the politburo) is not there to humiliate Cde Moyo,” Mutasa said.

Mutasa said the politburo should “show gratitude for the good work Prof Moyo did during his time in Government and Zanu-PF”.

Mutasa confirmed receipt of the letter from Moyo seeking readmission into Zanu-PF adding that the author of the repressive media law “did not quit Zanu-PF of his own volition”.

During his term as Information Minister, Moyo banned four newspapers which were viewed as critical of President Robert Mugabe.

“I have got the letter,” Mutasa said. “I personally regard it highly. It is noble for him to have applied to rejoin the party.

“A lot of things were happening that were not pleasing to him. The fact that he has seen it good to re-apply and join the party makes me very pleased.

“The resources of the party and its investment are in the people. In Jonathan Moyo I find a very good and important investment for the party,” Mutasa said. “He is a very good information person. He showed this during the time he was Minister of Information. I would not like to lose people like him.”

Moyo defended his recent newspaper articles where he continues to criticise Tsvangirai and his MDC.

In his latest article, Moyo claims the MDC leader was running a parallel government by paying his workers in government higher salaries than the rest.

He says he was “exercising my freedom of expression to hold to scrutiny “ someone who “lies” by claiming he is the head of government and yet refuses to take responsibility for the failure of the same government’s programmes.

Moyo, who has also criticised Mutambara, says he would not do the same to President Robert Mugabe.

Mugabe also claims he is the head of government, among other titles that the State media now routinely piles on him.

“I am exercising my freedom of expression,” he said, “I must not do what you want. I must do what I want and I am entitled to do that. If that does not please you, too bad! That is what freedom of expression is.”

Moyo denied claims he had filed a court challenge against MDC MP Lovemore Moyo’s election as Speaker of the House of Assembly last year on behalf of Zanu-PF.

“I am doing it on behalf of Zimbabweans, who include both Zanu-PF and MDC. I am dong it in the interest of the rule of law which you journalists and your MDC say you believe in. And that rule of law does not discriminate between MDC or Zanu-PF.

“It is in the interest of the rule of law that the conduct of the election of Speaker which is a constitutional office is done in terms of the constitution, the laws of Zimbabwe and the standing orders of Parliament.

“I have the right to seek redress in a court of law. I never went to a militia or anybody else to seek redress. I never beat up Mr Moyo. I simply went to a court of law and paid money to my lawyer and I think only idiots would find something wrong with that.”

Asked if he would proceed to also challenge the election of President Mugabe last year, which was even more controversial and was condemned by the international community after over 200 supporters of Tsvangirai’s MDC were left dead.

“Why did you not challenge it yourself because you are so eloquent about it?,” Moyo said.

“Why should I be the one who is carrying your burden? Am I your representative? You are the ones who describe the election as having been flawed and mired in controversy. I would respect you for challenging that in a court of law in the same way I challenged Moyo’s election.

“But it is not my duty to go about challenging all elections as if I am a fool. I am not a fool.”

Labels: JONATHAN MOYO, MDC

posted by MrK @ 8:29 AM