(TALKZIMBABWE) EU a gang of criminals: SK Moyo

EU a gang of criminals: SK Moyo
Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:08:00 +0000

FREELANCE journalist Raymond Utsiwegota recently interviewed the Zanu-PF National Chairman Simon Khaya Moyo on several issues including succession, elections and sanctions. The whole interview is reproduced below.

Question: As the new National Chairman, what is your vision for the direction of Zanu-PF and Zimbabwe at large?

SK. Let me start by saying that Zanu-PF is a revolutionary party. It has a glorious history. To conceptualise my response, it must always be remembered that two former liberation movements, Zanu and Zapu, through their respective wings Zanla and Zipra, liberated this country against colonial oppression and the settler regime. The two parties spearheaded the final stages of the liberation armed struggle under the banner of the patriotic front, co-led by President Robert Mugabe and the late Dr Joshua Nkomo, Father Zimbabwe.

Under the Unity Accord of 22 December of 1987, the two parties merged as Zanu-PF with a clear motto of unity, peace and development. I subscribe fully to this vision of the party, which indeed must be embraced by all Zimbabweans. We are one people, with a common surname, Zimbabwe. The issues of tribe, religion, or race are God’s business, not a passport to fuller life.

Q: How do you intend to rejuvenate the party and attract the youths?

SK. A visionary party constantly rejuvenates itself, creating space to grow. The youths are the vanguard of the revolution. The party recognises that the youths have the necessary energy, zeal and stamina. They have got dynamism to propel the revolution and profusely defend our sovereignty. We want a rejuvenated party, the youths will engage in various visible programmes and projects which, not only benefit themselves, but Zimbabwe at large. They are the future leaders of this great country, key stakeholders to the country’s destiny. With education, discipline and high morals, the youths are our greatest investment. They are indeed our jewel in the crown.

Q: Factionalism is a cancer that is threatening the survival of the party. How do you intend to address the issue?

SK. Let me say, factionalism is indeed a cancer to any given organisation. However, it is not a threat to the survival of Zanu-PF, because it is by and large inconsequential. Differences in opinion don’t equate to factionalism. You may think otherwise over a particular subject, but that does not constitute factionalism. But, by the end of the day, there must be common ground for all of us, in order to move forward and achieve our objectives.

The party’s position is always to nip any form of factionalism in the bud where it rears its ugly head. Mechanisms are in place for the party to be accountable and deliver to the people, because to us the people are supreme. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Given that vision and position Zanu-PF has an unbreakable spine. It is no political ice cream.

Q: The succession issue has remained a talking point in the party. How best can the issue be addressed?

SK: Well, the so-called succession label is a non issue in Zanu-PF. Surprisingly, it is always spoken most by those outside the party, and one wonders the agenda these people have. We have mechanisms in the party and we follow the party constitution, from the cell, up to the presidium. Surely, if we follow those mechanisms, I don’t see why there should be cries about succession. You present yourself to the people and if you got capacity and qualities, surely people recognise you. But it cannot be free for all.

Q: But some are saying you are stifling the debate.

SK: We are not scuttling the debate; people are discussing everywhere at all levels. And when people say we don’t want our President to go, at branch level, at district level, at provincial level, at Central Committee level and Politburo and at Congress, what else do you want done? That’s democracy at its best. Nobody has scuttled debate on this matter at all, because the constitution is very clear. If you look at the party at the moment, there are new members of the Presidium including myself. Who scuttled me from getting there? (he laughs) It’s the people who decided, that’s how the party operates. Zanu-PF is preoccupied with national issues and not tissues.

Q: Can you comment on Zanu-PF’s relationship with other revolutionary parties in the region.

SK. Our relations with the ANC, Swapo, Frelimo, MPLA, Unip and Chama Cha Mapinduzi are cordial; they are excellent and deep-rooted as ever. Our relationship is premised on a common liberation history, on Pan-African ideals and on a common destiny as liberators of our people. We frequently share notes and strategies. We meet quite often and no force from whatever angle can divide us. The blood we shared together will forever bind us to nurture the revolution in our respective countries

Q: Your party is accused of trying to impose the Kariba Draft on the people. Can you comment?

SK: The glaring issue here is that it is a contradiction. If the three major parties authored the Kariba Draft Constitution and initialled it by the way, agreeing on it, how does then Zanu-PF, impose the draft on the other two parties? To proffer such an accusation, is indeed to run with the hares and chasing the hounds. It’s chasing after the wind.

Q: Given that the Kariba Draft Constitution was authored by the three major parties, what do you think has changed considerably to warrant the differences that now exist amongst the parties on its use?

SK: Well, absolutely nothing has changed. The external factor continues to wreck havoc in our internal affairs. When you are dictated to and you are not permitted to think for yourself, you cannot remain in the same position. In other words, you have no principles at all. I must say it is a painful assignment to be a puppet. (he laughs) It’s just the external factor. You do this today and you are told don’t do this tomorrow. He who pays the piper calls the tune.

Q: The Zanu-PF Politburo reiterated the 2009 Congress resolution not to accede anymore concessions to MDC until they lobby for the removal of sanctions. Your comment on that?

SK: I must emphasise that the position of the Politburo was a response to a statement by a British Foreign Secretary Mr David Miliband in the House of Commons not so long ago, that the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Britain and its European Union allies could only be lifted if MDC-T so advises. So if MDC-T does not so act, what other concessions would one be giving? Instead, they are telling the British to keep them until they tell them to remove, so what are these talks all about at the end of the day?

To us, the only two outstanding matters vis-a-vis these talks are the removal of the illegal sanctions and the issue of pirate radio stations, which continue to beam hate messages into Zimbabwe. The issue of Bennett, Reserve Bank Governor Gideon) Gono and (Attorney General Johannes) Tomana are not part of the GPA. Let’s get the sanctions off, let's get these pirate radio stations stopped and then we know where we are going as an inclusive Government.

These illegal sanctions are not targeted at (President) Mugabe and his so-called cronies. They are comprehensive. They are affecting everybody, unless if you are saying every Zimbabwean is a crony of President Mugabe.

Q: Is such stance not an impediment to the full implementation of the GPA?

SK. It’s not an impediment at all as far as we concerned. Our sovereignty can never be compromised because of the externally imposed impediments. We have always stated that before, that as we were our own political liberators, so shall we be our own economic liberators. So no concessions on anything unless there is the removal of illegal sanctions and pirate radio stations.

Is it so difficult for the MDC-T to say can you remove the sanctions? MDC Mutambara has been very clear. It stated openly that the sanctions must go and they have taken a position which we appreciate very much. That’s being patriotic to your country.

Q: Why then is it that some Zanu-PF members continue to be interviewed on the pirate radio stations when you say they are illegal?

SK: They are not supposed to. Those who are doing so give the impression that we recognize them. Why give any interview to something we don’t recognise. They should not do that at all. I am not talking only about the leadership of Zanu-PF, but every member, they must not entertain them.

Q: The EU has issued a statement that Zanu-PF has not done enough to warrant the removal of sanctions.

SK: The EU is not a guarantor of the GPA. The only people who can say that are either the Sadc or the AU, not the EU. Their sanctions are illegal. If they were legal why didn’t they go to the UN. So I take them as a gang of criminals, who have no political ethics of any kind. They must just remove the sanctions.

Q: The Prime Minister and the MDC-T have criticised the recently gazetted Indigenisation Act. Can you please comment on this?

SK: The Indigenisation Act went through Parliament. It’s an Act of Parliament, passed in the August House by the representatives of Zimbabweans, who are the Members of Parliament. What the minister just did was to gazette what was passed by the House. If someone does not understand that, it means he has a long way to understand how government and the legislature operate.

If Parliament fulfils its mandate, which it did in passing that Bill and the President accented to it, one would really expect the Prime Minister to respect that process and not condemn it.

Q: Is the Act unique to Zimbabwe?

SK: Certainly not. You can not own land in Europe. Their laws do not allow that. But they want to own land here.

Q: Is your party ready for future elections?

SK: We are ever ready.

Q: Please comment on the recent clashes between Zanu-PF and MDC-T supporters in Epworth.

SK. We deplore any form of violence, be it by Zanu-PF or any other party. As you are aware, in the inclusive Government we have got an organ on National Healing. We have said that that organ must go flat out to cool tempers. We want peace. That is why our motto is unity. Without unity you cannot have peace and without peace you have no development and without development you cannot have prosperity.

Noone should be involved in any violence of any kind. It does not help anybody, and it does not help Zimbabwe. We need to show the world that we are a peace-loving nation.