(TALKZIMBABWE) MDC-T should blame itself for losing
This article was written by Our reporter on 1 August, at 09 : 46 AM
The MDC-T party had a weak strategy and weak organisation right from the start. Besides, the disorganization and infighting at this election, the party concentrated on unimportant issues during their tenure in the inclusive Government as we saw with party leader, Morgan Tsvangirai’s shenanigans.
It is also now becoming glaringly clear that Secretary General of the MDC-T, Tendai Biti and party leader Tsvangirai are now two sides of the same coin, uncoordinated, suspicious of each other and not having a clear coherent strategy to beat Zanu-PF. For example, Biti announced on Al-Jazeera that he had “raped” government to get money for the election. Tsvangirai, on the other hand, was telling Violet Gonda on 1ST TV that he did not know where the money came from. How could such an incoherence occur at this crucial time?
The two were not seen in public on the same platform as a team, except in the picture where they are reading the Zanu-PF manifesto with organizing secretary Nelson Chamisa. They all looked pensive and that image was a public relations disaster, the hallmark of a disorganized group, contrasted with Team Zanu-PF. Their slogan “Bhora Musango” (Soccer ball in the Bush) based on Zanu-PF’s slogan “Bhora Mugedhi” (Soccer ball in the Soccer Gate) showed exactly what was going on in their camp. Rather than explaining their manifesto to the people, they were relaxed, reading a Zanu-PF one.
They also wasted time at the end of the campaign season, concentrating their campaign on Harare – an urban constituency where their support is higher than anywhere else. By calling for a rally at so-called “Freedom Square” the MDC-T thought they could replicate Egypt’s Tahrir Square. By campaigning till the last day, they lost crucial administrative time.
Compare this discord in the MDC-T with the strong, strategic and focussed campaign of Zanu-PF, with President Mugabe, Vice President Joice Mujuru and the rest of Team Zanu-PF Live 2013 focusing on the campaign, with sheer determination.
In the inclusive Government, they worked against the government, rather than try and outshine Zanu-PF to connect with the people. They thought by discrediting the work of the government, they would undermine Zanu-PF; but they undermined themselves because people saw their incompetence and their corruptibility. They then compared them to the original Zanu-PF government which had delivered in the 1980s and 1990s without the influence of the MDC-T, offering free education and free primary health care.
Tsvangirai wasted time on issues that had nothing to do with governing and he changed advisers many times, thus disrupting continuity in the MDC-T strategy, if they had one.
In entering into these elections, the MDC-T went in more as auditors of the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) and not as participants. Since morning of the election day, Tendai Biti was complaining, calling for many press conferences, rather than urging MDC-T supporters to go and vote. The MDC-T was busy watching how ZEC was doing its job.
They had no trust in the African Union, SADC, Chinese, and other election observers. They had their own observers, people who they could have used to encourage their supporters to vote.
They wasted time concentrating on bringing lawsuits and lobbying SADC, rather than mobilizing their support and consolidating their campaign.
The ferrying of supporters to vote is not illegal, especially where the road systems are not great – thanks to the sanctions they called for. No party would allow its supporters to walk on foot a distance of 5km to the polling station because the MDC-T would complain.
The MDC-T had the same right to ensure their supporters got to the polling stations, as long as these people were on the voters roll? Why should parties punish their supporters by not providing a conducive voting environment? Ferrying supporters to vote is not tantamount to campaigning on election day, which is illegal under the new constitution.
lnfact, it was the MDC-T that was fighting against disenfranchising the people. That means voting should have been facilitated as much as possible and besides they could still vote for the MDC-T being ferried to polling stations. How would Zanu-PF know they had voted for them? Again this is weak and un-strategic thinking by the MDC-T.
It was supposed to be ZEC’s responsibility to assist people to vote by providing them facilities like transport. The body was underfunded – thanks to Biti in his role as Finance Minister.
Now the chickens are coming home to roost. Zimbabweans have already made their choice by casting their vote.
Change, which the MDC-T wanted is coming. It’s not the change they envisaged.
*Comments and suggestions to info@talkzimbabwe.com
Labels: MDC, TENDAI BITI
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(TALKZIMBABWE) Zimbabwe: A new economic model for Africa
This article was written by Garikai Chengu on 1 August, at 11 : 28 AM
A bloodless revolution is silently taking place in Zimbabwe. President Mugabe’s Indigenisation of the land and the economy will set a precedent for the creation of a forerunning, economic model for Africa.
Consequently, a victory for Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe’s election is a resounding victory for the future of the African continent. Only ninety years ago, the British South Africa Company owned every square inch of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean land and natural resources were taken violently and divided amongst European settlers.
All the while, indigenous Zimbabweans were considered subjects and assets, solely belonging to the British Crown. After decades of liberation struggle, Africans finally placed the crown on their own heads. But, in 2013, where are the jewels of this crown?
The mining and extraction of precious resources, like oil, natural gas, gold, and platinum, enrich Western corporations. Here, we see the West’s current control over Africa’s “jewels”.
Western economic control of Africa casts a shadow of poverty throughout the continent. Whether in the Niger Delta or the Democratic Republic of Congo, the majority of people experience lives of misery and receive very little benefit from the richness of their land.
In fact, Africa’s natural resources, land, and forced labour have fueled the world’s economy for centuries. To this day, Africa is still the world’s engine-room for economic growth.
In short, Africa fuels the global economy, while reaping little profits at home; this is the “black man’s burden.” Indigenisation is designed to allow Zimbabweans to free themselves of this centuries’ old burden. Lifting this crushing millstone is our generation’s greatest struggle.
At President Mugabe’s last campaign rally, he proclaimed that, “we must re-write the economic books for our children. Those books were written to suite the West’s agenda of exploiting our resources. Our children must know that our resources are more significant, more precious than their capital.”
Years from now, economic books will use Zimbabwe’s Indigenisation Program as a model for African decolonisation. African politicians will look to Zimbabwe as a point of reference.
As with tobacco, diamonds, cocoa and oil, Africa exports its precious resources to the West, only to buy them back at a premium. This is Africa’s greatest problem and biggest opportunity. The solution to this problem is simple: Africa must not only control its raw materials but also build the capacity to make them into finished products.
Indigenisation is the much needed bridge between poverty and industrialization, and therefore, transforming Africa into a first world power.
No longer will Europeans take our natural resources; no longer will they control our industrial processes. We will not be burdened; we will not be stripped of our land, our pride, our Africa.
If Africans indigenise our economies and resolutely build the capacity to refine our crude oil, gold and platinum, as well as the capability to cut and polish our diamonds, we will certainly turn this into an African century.
Clearly, Africa is not under-developed; she is over-exploited. Western foreign investors are merely foreign exploiters.
According to a recent UN Africa Progress Report, Africa loses 63 billion dollars, each year, through foreign multinational corporations’ illegal tax evasion and exploitative practices. This figure surpasses all the money coming into the continent through Western aid and investment.
It is for this reason that Zimbabwe’s new Indigenisation model emphasizes local ownership and foreign partnership with emerging nations, such as Brazil, Russia, India and China.
Zimbabwe’s Indigenisation Program is as much about looking inward as it is about looking east.
Today, I say, with confidence, that Zimbabwe is the only economically liberated, black nation in Sub-Saharan Africa. Zimbabwe has proved to her African brothers and sisters that it is possible, and indeed desirable, to take back our land.
Let us now look to our recent past for guidance into our new economic future.
A few years ago, the international media houses and Western academics repeated the same, twisted narrative about the Indigenisation of Zimbabwe’s land, claiming it was an economic failure, which only benefited ‘Mugabe’s cronies.’
The West’s economic sanctions on Zimbabwe were designed to cripple our economy, in an attempt to dissuade other African nations from emulating our cause.
Western sanctions sent a clear message to Africa’s landless and economically disempowered masses: “You can have your democracy, but keep the economic power in the hands of the white minority; otherwise, you’ll end up like Zimbabwe.”
The World Bank still estimates that a staggering 65% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s best arable land is still controlled by white settlers or multinational corporations. The World Bank also estimates that as much as 70% of the net wealth in Sub-Saharan Africa is owned by non-indigenous Africans or foreigners.
Clearly, the West is fine with other African nations adopting democratic governments, but any attempt to democratize the economy and the land is dealt with by NATO, the CIA, or economically destabilizing sanctions.
Nowadays, those same Western media houses and academics are admitting that Zimbabwe’s land democratization program has not only benefited over a million people, but also pioneered a more economically productive way of farming.
President Mugabe’s Indigenisation of land has created employment and support for the livelihood of over 1.7 million Zimbabweans.
This year alone, Zimbabwe raked in over a half billion dollars from tobacco sales. Before land Indigenisation, a handful of rich, white farmers would have greedily divided these profits, moving the money away from African pockets and into Western bank accounts.
In fact, the World Bank estimated that, “nearly 40 percent of Africa’s aggregate wealth has fled to foreign bank accounts.”
Indigenisation will combat this outflow of wealth by creating more African corporate owners. These local shareholders are more likely to save their rent in local banks, spend their dividends on domestic goods, and invest their profits in local businesses.
Today, 75,000 indigenous Zimbabweans benefit from the tobacco sales’ profits of a half billion dollars. Land reform is now possible in all African countries after Zimbabwe’s successful example.
With a rapidly growing and indigenously owned economy, many African nations will increasingly seek to emulate Zimbabwe. Years from now, African states will strive to achieve Zimbabwe’s economic success.
Say what you want to say about Mr. Mugabe, but today, Zimbabweans own Zimbabwe.
By re-electing President Mugabe, the people of Zimbabwe are making history. ZANU-PF will now have five more years to finish implementing a revolutionary economic model that will inevitably spread across the continent.
Garikai Chengu can be contacted at chengu@fas.harvard.edu
Labels: DEVELOPMENT, LAND REFORM, LIBERATION, ZIMBABWE
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Sata fires Hapunda
By Roy Habaalu
Thu 01 Aug. 2013, 14:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata has with immediate effect revoked the appointment of Brian Hapunda as Southern Province PF political secretary.
According to a letter dated July 29, 2013, copied to PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba and Southern Province chairman, President Sata said Hapunda had been going round collecting monies from companies and business houses in his name and that of Kabimba.
"In justifying your collections, you have at times written letters of acknowledgement to donors and purported to copy the same to the secretary general. You also wrote to the management of Southern Water and Sewerage Company requesting them to settle your house rentals when you know very well that this was against the policy of the party," read the letter in part.
"Your activities constitute gross misconduct under the party disciplinary regulations as they bring the name of His Excellency the President, the secretary general and the party into disrepute and reproach. In view of the above, I have revoked your appointment as Provincial Political Secretary for Southern Province with immediate effect," President Sata said.
Hapunda was UPND Lusaka Province youth coordinator before joining PF.
Recently, Kabimba warned party members against engaging in corrupt activities and that those found wanting would be dealt with.
Kabimba said there were people going round asking for donations from companies in the name of the party.
Hapunda was later quoted on ZNBC saying it was people from outside Livingstone that were collecting money from companies.
Labels: BRIAN HAPUNDA, CORRUPTION, MICHAEL SATA, PF, UPND
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'If you lose, you must surrender'
By Editor
Thu 01 Aug. 2013, 14:00 CAT
THE Zimbabwean people yesterday went to the polls to elect their president and members of parliament.
And compared to elections before, this can be said to have been relatively peaceful. We do not expect the Zimbabwean elections to perfectly meet every expectation of the participants. But from the conduct of the parties and the grievances raised, we feel the primary things that are required to make the participants accept the results were somehow met.
We therefore expect those who chose to participate in these elections to accept the outcome, that is defeat. We say defeat because nobody has problems accepting their own victory.
We also hope the international community, especially the Europeans and the Americans, will not make demands that will push the people of Zimbabwe much further apart and backwards. As President Robert Mugabe admits in a recent interview, "Although we boxed each other, it's not as hostile as before. It's all over now. We can shake hands." We hope this will be the spirit that prevails when the results of these elections are known or announced.
President Mugabe says, "If you go into a process and join a competition where there are only two outcomes, win or lose, you can't be both. You either win or lose. If you lose, you must surrender." This spirit must be lived up to by both President Mugabe and his supporters on the one hand and Morgan Tsvangirai and his supporters on the other.
Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for Democratic Change, says the party was only prepared to accept the results if the poll was "free and fair" - a verdict on which the jury is still out.
Tsvangirai has accepted to participate in these elections and he should therefore deal with the outcome in line with that acceptance. This however does not mean that Tsvangirai should accept the result, come what may. He has the right not to accept the result. But his rejection of the results has to be effected in a manner that does not disturb the peace and end up in the unnecessary loss of lives and property. There are peaceful procedures to protest and challenge an election result one does not find acceptable.
We saw what happened in this year's elections in Kenya. Raila Odinga did not accept the election result. But unlike before, his supporters remained calm and restrained while he challenged the results in the courts of law. The Kenyan Supreme Court upheld the election results that put Uhuru Kenyatta as the winner. Again, Odinga was not happy with the decision of the Kenyan Supreme Court, but for the sake of his country and his people, and in the interest of peace and stability, he respected a judgment he did not agree with.
We expect nothing less than this from all the parties that participated in yesterday's Zimbabwean elections. Those elections are certainly not perfect in terms of being free and fair, but they somewhat represent the nearest estimation of the wishes of the Zimbabwean people.
We hope the Zimbabwean people, this time round, will use their vote as a powerful weapon for unity and as an instrument for justice and peace. We say this because on their voting, on the quality of it, the discernment behind it, depend the progress and peace of their country. Let everyone involved have in their hearts the desire that all will benefit and not just the party which wins. Let it be said, not that this particular party won, but rather that Zimbabwe won the elections.
President Mugabe spoke of boxing each other; he did not speak of being at war with each other. In a boxing tournament, the aim is not to kill or destroy the opponent but to simply score more points and if possible temporarily knock him out of the fight. This should not be confused with a battlefield where the aim is to destroy, annihilate the other. These elections, after all, are not supposed to be a fight for survival, but a competition to serve the Zimbabwean people.
We urge those who will lose this election to educate their followers to be peaceful and tolerant. It is only in that way Zimbabwe will be united and peaceful. Let them set an example which will win the respect of the whole world.
Resorting to violence is unacceptable under any circumstance. And our final prayer and call is that although we are convinced that many things could have been done better, that there have been some injustices to those who are not in control of the electoral process, nevertheless, we are hoping that all will heed our appeal to the various political groupings to remain peaceful. The interests of the political parties and their candidates should be kept subordinate to the public good. And it is necessary to remind all parties that elections are for the good of the Zimbabwean people and their country, and not for the political survival of any individual or political party. If the spirit of the primacy of the common good were to animate all the Zimbabwean political parties and their leaders, we will not witness any violence after the results are announced.
Labels: ELECTIONS
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PF vibrant - Kabimba
By Henry Sinyangwe
Wed 31 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba says party members are not fatigued. And Kabimba, who is also justice minister, says the party will remain vibrant and deliver on its promises.
Reacting to Professor Clive Chirwa who has advised the PF to stick to the vibrancy in its original vision to raise the living standards of the people, Kabimba said the party was on course in terms of its manifesto.
Kabimba said not everything can go right in any government.
He said it was good that Prof Chirwa recognised that there were some things which were being done right under the current administration.
"You can't have a system where everything is going right. That only happens in heaven, certainly not on earth. There is no government that anybody can point at on this planet where everything is going on 100 per cent right," Kabimba said.
"What is important is that he has been able to acknowledge… to concede that there are certain areas where PF is performing better than MMD ever did."
And Kabimba said the party was going back to the old system under the Kaunda administration where all the schools and classes opened in January and no student lost any time in terms of academic service.
"We have four core programmes which we have prioritised in our manifesto and these are education, health, agriculture, local government and housing. And these two are followed by infrastructure development and tourism. Activities are going on in all these sectors. You can't say that these activities are evidence of fatigue. If anything, there is a lot of vibrancy. In fact in the area of education, for the first time, in 15, 20 years, the exam results for this year will come out before the end of the year," he said.
On Prof Chirwa's observation that the PF was in a learning curve in its one and half years' rule, Kabimba said the party was merely reconstructing the economy which had fallen under MMD rule.
"It has not been a learning curve, don't forget that this country is under a state of reconstruction. We come from what I refer to as an economic civil war under the MMD. So we have to reconstruct the financial, social and economic sectors in order to move the economy forward. It is not as if we took over an ideal situation. It was not.
We have to fight corruption which has been embedded in many of our institutions of governance, including the public service which is not easy. Most of the people were dipped in the MMD culture of corruption," he said.
Last week Prof Chirwa said there were signs of fatigue on the part of the PF in terms of ingenuity of vision to deliver on its promises.
Labels: CLIVE CHIRWA, PF, WYNTER KABIMBA
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Education system needs makeover - Katuta
By Fridah Nkonde
Thu 01 Aug. 2013, 14:00 CAT
YOUTH Vision Zambia director of programmes Chilambe Katuta says it is difficult for young people to have an entrepreneurial spirit if they are not guided.
Commenting on United Church of Zambia's Resurrection congregation minister in-charge Reverend Mwimba Chikalipa's statement that many youths fail to live independent lives after school because they are taught that they are being educated in order to get employed and not to earn a living, Katuta in an interview yesterday said the education system in Zambia needed a complete makeover.
Delivering his sermon on Sunday, Rev Chikalipa said teachers were to blame for teaching pupils that they go to school in order to get employed.
"In as much it is true that young people are not being taught how to earn a living, it is important not to blame anyone as to why young people are not learning to earn a living. We must understand that our education system needs a complete makeover," Katuta said.
He said it was clear that Zambia had a weak education curriculum system which led to most young people having complete skills mismatch when they finished school.
"On the aspect of young people not having an entrepreneurial spirit despite Zambia having a number of policies such as the youth empowerment policy, it all comes back to the issue of having a strong curriculum that will make young people become businessmen and women and not really looking to government as a main source of employment," he said.
He said there was need to strengthen the curriculum system to include issues such as skills development for the young people to learn how to earn a living.
Labels: CHILAMBE KAKUTA, YOUTHS
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PF East holds interviews for by-elections
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Thu 01 Aug. 2013, 14:00 CAT
FORMER Mkaika MMD member of parliament David Phiri, who is now a PF member, on Monday came out third during the PF provincial interviews held in Chipata.
According to a provincial executive committee member who declined to be named, Simbao Tenford Banda was first, while Reverend Ackson Banda emerged second.
The source said the three names would now be submitted to the party's Central Committee which is expected to announce a candidate for Mkaika on Saturday.
The Mkaika by-election was caused by Phiri's defection to the ruling party.
In Malambo, Jack Shuma came out first, followed by Joyce Banda and Kaweche Kaunda.
The by-election came about after Kaweche petitioned former Malambo MMD member of parliament Maxwell Mwale's election in 2011.
And in Petauke, a businessman Elias Daka (popularly known as Eliboma), came out first followed by Julius Mwale, while Charles Nyanoka came third.
The source said others who had applied for adoption, such as provincial PF secretary Leonard Banda who petitioned the election of Dora Siliya, provincial PF chairperson Mike Tembo and PF Lusaka Province secretary Horace Longwe, would only be interviewed by the Central Committee.
The source said the trio could not be interviewed by lower organs because they were provincial leaders.
The provincial executive committee members, who pledged not to reveal what transpired in the interviews, said the PF wants to adopt a strong candidate who could defeat Siliya.
The UPND is likely to adopt Mwale in Malambo. The MMD has not yet announced its candidates.
In Petauke Central, the MMD is likely to field Siliya whose election was nullified by the Supreme Court.
NAREP is the only party that has announced its candidates in all three constituencies in Eastern Province.
By-elections in the three constituencies are scheduled for September 5.
Labels: BY-ELECTIONS, EASTERN PROVINCE
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It's pointless for humans to fight each other - KK
By Fridah Nkonde
Wed 31 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
DR Kenneth Kaunda says it is pointless for human beings to fight each other. During the official launch of the Ng'ombe Initiative and Foxdale Court Office Park as part of Lusaka's centenary celebrations yesterday, Dr Kaunda said Zambians were able to maintain peace in the country because they appreciate the 'One Zambia One nation' motto.
The two buildings at Foxdale Court had been named after Dr Kaunda and late Mama Betty Kaunda.
"Why should we fight each other. Why should we kill each other when we were all created by one God? The bible says that you should love your neighbor with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength. And above all, you should love your neighbour. We are all God's children. We have 73 tribes in our country and if we did not say 'one Zambia, one nation, we would have been fighting each other," he said.
"People are fighting each other, they are killing each other. There is no peace in Egypt, in Syria; in Palestine…thank God we are able to follow His commandments,"
Dr Kaunda said he was grateful for naming the two buildings at Foxdale Court after him and his late wife Mama Betty.
"Betty was fantastic for me. Thank you for putting us together again. She is there watching. Thank you to all of you who came to celebrate with us the 100 years. We thank God that we are celebrating Lusaka 100 years," said Dr Kaunda.
And Lusaka mayor Daniel Chisenga said the biggest challenge that the council was facing was keeping the city clean.
Chisenga said Lusaka City Council was overwhelmed with a lot of responsibilities because the population had grown, adding that there was a high demand on services offered to the people.
"In our last council meeting, we resolved that every market and bus station will be required to close at least once a month to clean up. Those markets and bus stations that won't do this will be closed permanently," said Chisenga.
Meanwhile, FNB head of strategic marketing and communication Clotilda Mulenga said the bank was happy to support initiatives that were aimed at rendering help to the communities.
And Ng'ombe Initiative chairperson Victoria Huwiler said the initiative was aimed at creating a model compound.
"The aim is to design a neighbourhood with street names, clean surroundings, recycling activities, a tourist information centre," said Huwiler.
Labels: KENNETH KAUNDA
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Sata happy with local emerald auction
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe
Wed 31 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
PRESIDENT Michael Sata says Zambia's ability to hold successful auctioning of emeralds has been understated through various manipulations.
Zambia last month held its second auction of high grade emeralds at which US$31.5 million was realised, doubling the feat achieved during the inaugural auction last April.
In an unprecedented move, the Treasury earned US$1.89 million in mineral royalty from the auctioning of emeralds done this month.
Gemfields Plc, which owns 75 per cent of Kagem Mining Limited, Zambia's biggest emerald producer, held its local auctioning of high grade emeralds, attracting 37 foreign companies.
Commenting on the development, President Sata hailed the mines ministry for implementing his directive on gemstone auctions without delay.
President Sata said following the outcome of the successful auctions, there was no doubt about the country's ability to hold these auctions locally and maximise revenue, which might have been understated through various manipulations.
"On the insistence of government, Kagem Mines Plc held a low grade rough emeralds auction from 15 - 19 April, 2013 which realised US$15.2 million which was the highest value ever realised," President Sata said in a statement by special assistant for press and public relations George Chellah.
"Similarly, from 15 - 19 July, another auction of high grade emeralds was held at which US$31.5 million was realised. This is the second highest auction revenue achieved to date and the best in terms of value per carat sold."
The average per carat price of US$54 has set a new record. Furthermore, all the 583,448 carats placed on offer were sold.
President Sata said it is obvious that selling and auctioning of gemstones locally would create employment and enhance value addition through cutting.
"Additional spillover effects to other sectors of the economy will also be enhanced as international buyers who come and stay in the hotels will end up visiting other tourist attractions as well as having an interest in investment opportunities in various sectors of the economy," he said.
President Sata reiterated government's commitment to diversifying the economy away from copper and promoting value addition industries in the mining sector in line with the PF Manifesto.
Labels: EMERALDS, MICHAEL SATA, MINING
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(NEWZIMBABWE) Election outcome illegitimate: Tsvangirai
01/08/2013 00:00:00
by
Below is MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai’s full statement about the elections at a press conference in Harare Thursday. He however left the briefing without taking any questions from journalists
This election has been a huge farce. Its credibility has been marred by administrative and legal violations which affect the legitimacy of its outcome.
There are two critical issues
The election does not meet SADC Guidelines. It is a sham election that does not reflect the will of the people.
* Voters’ Roll
* Thousands failed to register and were disenfranchised
* Not delivered timeously as required by law
* No proper inspection of the voters’ roll to verify
* Authenticity
* Duplication of names on the voters roll
* Unauthorised movement of voters from their wards
* (leading to almost 40% voters being turned away and
* disenfranchised)
* Manipulation of voters’ choice - Voters forced to plead
* illiteracy and resort to “assistance”.
* Use of traditional leaders (chiefs and headmen) to intimidate
* voters.
* Unauthorised voter migration - Voters bussed into
* constituencies to vote eg Harare South, Epworth
* Unaccounted for voters especially in farming areas
* Abuse of the facility to use Voter Registration Slips as proof of registration
* Militarisation of the electoral process – electoral processes under the effective control of security personnel
* Lack of transparency in the printing of ballots
* Non-compliance with section 51 of the Electoral Act.
* Over-printing of ballots (more than 35%) and lack of accountability for ballots.
* Lack of transparency and double-voting in the use of the Special Vote
* Lack of transparency in the use of the Postal Voting system
Failure to implement SADC reforms
* Media reform
* Security sector
I have met with the chair of the AU observer mission, former Nigerian President Obasanjo, head of the SADC observer mission, Minister Mmembe and I have given a diplomatic briefing. The message we have given is that this is not a credible election. It does not reflect the will of the people of Zimbabwe.
For the above reasons, the election has been heavily manipulated. In our view, the outcome of this election is illegitimate. But more importantly, the shoddy manner in which it has been conducted and the consequent illegitimacy of the result will plunge this country into a serious crisis.
We therefore call for SADC and the AU audit teams to look into this process, in particular the voters roll, the ballots and the manner in which the whole process was conducted.
In our view this election does not meet the SADC, AU and international standards for a credible, legitimate, free and fair election.
I thank you.
Labels: 2013 ELECTIONS (ZW), MORGAN TSVANGIRAI
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(NEWZIMBABWE, REUTERS) Election ‘seriously compromised’: ZESN
01/08/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter I Reuters
WEDNESDAY’S election was "seriously compromised" with up to a million people prevented from voting, local observer group, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), has said.
Most of those turned away were in urban areas, where support for Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is strong, said the group, which had 7,000 observers.
It noted that fewer voters were rejected in rural areas, seen as strongholds of President Robert Mugabe.
Mugabe's allies are already claiming a victory in Wednesday's poll.
"We've buried the MDC," a senior party source told Reuters news agency.
It is illegal to publish unofficial results. The electoral commission has five days to declare who won the poll.
Regional observers have praised the peaceful nature of the election.
In a statement on Thursday, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) said that potential voters were turned away from 82% of urban polling stations.
In rural areas, it said, the percentage was less than half that.
"The election is seriously compromised," ZESN chairman Solomon Zwana said.
Mugabe, 89, has pledged to step down after 33 years in power if he and his party lose.
Zanu PF and the MDC have shared an uneasy coalition government since 2009 under a deal brokered to end the deadly violence that erupted after a disputed presidential poll the previous year.
The first round of the 2008 poll was also praised for being peaceful - trouble broke out after the results were announced, with Tsvangirai gaining more votes than Mugabe.
Labels: 2013 ELECTION (ZW), ZESN
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(NEWZIMBABWE) MDC-T cries fraud as Zanu PF claims landslide
01/08/2013 00:00:00
by Reuters
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF party claimed a landslide victory on Thursday in Zimbabwe's elections, but its rival, Prime Minster Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said there had been "monumental fraud".
Wednesday's voting was peaceful across the southern African nation, but the early conflicting claims from the two sides heralded an acrimonious dispute over the outcome and raised fears of a repeat of violence that marred a 2008 election.
Releasing unofficial results early in Zimbabwe is illegal, and police have said they will arrest anybody who makes premature claims about the result. Election authorities were due to announce results within five days from Wednesday.
But a senior source in Mugabe's Zanu PF party, who asked not to be named, said the outcome was already clear.
"We've taken this election. We've buried the MDC. We never had any doubt that we were going to win," the source told Reuters by phone on Thursday.
Riot police took up positions outside the party's headquarters in central Harare and other key locations in the capital. MDC offices appeared to be almost deserted.
An independent election monitor in Zimbabwe, who also could not be named for fear of arrest, said early results were looking like a "disaster" for Tsvangirai, who was making his third bid to unseat the 89-year-old Mugabe.
Responding to the Zanu PF claim, a high-ranking source in Tsvangirai's MDC party described the election as "a monumental fraud".
"Zimbabweans have been taken for a ride by Zanu PF and Mugabe. We do not accept it," the source, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters.
The MDC was to hold an emergency meeting later on Thursday.
Several political sources told Reuters key MDC members had lost their seats, even in the capital, Tsvangirai's main support base since he burst onto the political scene 15 years ago.
The head of an African Union observer mission said late on Wednesday the polls appeared at first glance to be "peaceful, orderly and free and fair" - an assessment at odds with the view of the MDC and of independent entities monitoring the poll.
In Thursday, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), the leading domestic monitoring agency, said the credibility of the poll was seriously compromised by large numbers of voters being turned away from polling stations in MDC strongholds.
"It is not sufficient for elections to be peaceful for elections to be credible," ZESN chairman Solomon Zwana told a news conference. "They must offer all citizens... an equal opportunity to vote."
The United States, which has sanctions in place against Mugabe, had also expressed concern before Wednesday about the credibility of the vote, citing persistent pro-Zanu PF bias in the state media and partisan security forces.
Other worries centred on the voters' roll, which was meant by law to be released in electronic form to all parties before the poll, but which has still not been made available.
Labels: 2013 ELECTION (ZW), MDC, ZANU-PF
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(HERALD ZW) US blocks poll survey
July 30, 2013 Obert Chifamba
President Mugabe
Lloyd Gumbo Herald Reporter
THE United States has reportedly gagged one of its think tanks, Freedom House, from releasing its latest survey results that indicate a crushing victory for President Mugabe and Zanu-PF in harmonised elections due tomorrow.This comes at a time when the leading British newspaper The Guardian, has once again predicted a victory for President Mugabe and Zanu-PF.
In an article written by David Smith, and reproduced elsewhere in this issue, the Guardian said President Mugabe had confounded his critics on the campaign and was set to romp to victory.
“Running for election for the seventh time, he (President Mugabe) is widely tipped to beat his rival Morgan Tsvangirai in Wednesday’s poll — and to be ushered back into respectability by a pragmatic West,” read the article.
The Independent, also of Britain yesterday tipped President Mugabe and Zanu-PF in an article headlined “Odds stacked against Morgan Tsvangirai as Robert Mugabe scents victory in Zimbabwe” that said, “Robert Mugabe looks like he can smell victory again . . . the odds seem stacked against 61-year-old Tsvangirai replacing the 89-year-old Mugabe, who has held power continuously in the 33 years since Zimbabwe secured its independence from Britain.”
Sources close to the US gag order said the Freedom House survey results give President Mugabe a 10 percent lead over Mr Tsvangirai of MDC-T and predicts a two thirds majority for Zanu-PF in the National Assembly where the revolutionary party is tipped to garner at least 140 seats in the 210 seat lower house.
The source said the survey predicts to a first round victory for President Mugabe, while MDC leader Professor Welshman is expected to give a good account of himself as his party has moved from a splinter group to a full-fledged political outfit with structures in nearly all provinces.
At the time the survey was conducted, the Nomination Court had not yet sat and the presidential contest was deemed to be a three-horse race.
Observers, however, say the presidential contest was still a three-horse race as Dr Dumiso Dabengwa and Mr Kisinoti Mukwazhe’s candidature would not reach 1 percent share of the vote, a position worsened by Mr Mukwazhe’s announcement that he had withdrawn from the contest.
Though the US embargoed the survey, the source said Mr Tsvangirai and his kitchen cabinet were told of the findings and advised to shift their campaign from a quest for victory to an attack on the process to create grounds to reject their inevitable defeat.
Freedom House last year commissioned a survey that found that Zanu-PF’s popularity among Zimbabweans was increasing, while that of MDC-T was plunging.
It revealed that Zanu-PF’s popularity increased to 31 percent, up from 17 percent in 2010, while MDC-T’s support plummeted from 38 percent in 2010 to 19 percent, over the same period.
It is understood that the US embassy in South Africa instructed Freedom House never to release the latest results after initial indications gave President Mugabe a 10 percentage point lead over Mr Tsvangirai.
Sources told The Herald that Witwatersrand University lecturer and analyst Susan Booysen who supervised last year’s survey instructed the analysts to have a re-look at the initial poll findings or to re-do the whole research as it was inimical to MDC-T’s chances of challenging the election results given the high chances that the party would lose the harmonised elections..
“The initial poll findings indicated that Mugabe’s popularity had increased by 10 percent ahead of Tsvangirai. Ncube’s support has also increased from less than one percent to over six percent.
“After the findings were presented to Booysen, she ordered that the team re-look at the feasibility of the statistics or to conduct another survey.
“The team preferred to conduct another poll finding based on the grounds that a lot of things have changed since campaigning has started.
“It was felt that the electorate, some of whom did not disclose their affiliation last time were now politically active,” said a source.
Another source alleged that Prof Booysen advised the MDC-T of the findings and urged the party to either pull out of the electoral process or to discredit the polls.
In an interview with The Herald, Prof Booysen denied the existence of a new poll and the US embassy’ order that they must not publish the results.
“The last report we conducted is the one we published last year that your paper quoted. There is no new report. A lot of things have changed because now there are campaigns that are taking place.
“We never produced such a report. There is no way the American embassy would have stopped us from publishing it,” she said.
Prof Booysen was recently quoted in the American multinational media house — Bloomberg, saying there was little chance of MDC-T springing an upset on Zanu-PF, a development the source put to the findings of the embargoed survey.
“The MDC-T lost moral ground in urban areas and its other constituencies and they are no longer able to say they will win an election provided it is free and fair,” she said.
“The MDC-T has little chance of victory on two main grounds: lack of preparedness and the voters’ roll, which really can, it seems, be used for manipulation.
“There is also a threat of violence at Zanu-PF’s disposal, whether violence is used or not.”
Booysen said this would show MDC-T that there was no honeymoon in politics.
“Perhaps they think that they are crown prince that need only wait for Mugabe to go for it to fall in their lap. This is a wake-up call for
them that there is no honeymoon,” she said.
Leading British newspaper, the Guardian in March predicted that Zanu-PF would be victorious in the elections as it was managing its politics well, way ahead of MDC-T and other parties.
The paper said Zanu-PF had clear empowerment programmes compared to MDC-T that had been encumbered by Mr Tsvangirai’s sex scandals and questionable handling of public finances.
Several surveys from the likes of the Council on Foreign Relations, Afrobarometer, and Mass Public Opinion Institute and pronouncements from MDC-T allies among them the NCA, Concerned ZCTU Affiliates, Zimbabwe Vigil and Sokwanele, all pointed to a victory for Zanu-PF at tomorrow’s polls.
Labels: 2013 ELECTIONS (ZW), FREEDOM HOUSE
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(HERALD ZW) Quest for local political legitimacy
July 25, 2013
Reason Wafawarova
contesting parties. When such violence occurs it is the side unfavoured by Western support that is often tainted with guiltiness, especially when this side happens to win the election.
It is not exactly accurate to make the commonly accepted assumption that electoral assistance from the so-called mature democracies lead to the ultimate expression of popular participation and democratisation. Often it is far from it, if not the exact opposite.
It is quite evident that the international community’s focus is often limited to the event of elections, and rarely is any attention given to long-term solutions for nation building, or even to the actual needs of local populations.
Democracy does not come or even begin by merely carrying out a violence-free election described as free and fair by whoever cares to say so.
There must be full attention to paradigmatic differences between liberal-style democracy and local concepts. Zimbabweans are faced with a situation where voters are supposed to elect between the high-sounding glories of liberal-style democracy and the popular concept of indigenising and thus democratising the country’s economy.
Zanu-PF is pushing the popular economic empowerment policy on the one end, and Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC is importing liberalisation rhetoric through its JUICE policy — solely focused on creating employees out of the Zimbabwean population — the very way colonisation externalised the continent’s wealth through our own employment.
The telling question is whether Zimbabweans have the stomach to endure the challenges involved with going against the liberal forces of global politics, or are instead prepared to continue playing pliant victims of imperial hegemony where at the very best success can only be measured by employment rates. Tsvangirai believes African success is by definition limited to impressive employment rates and he makes his point very clear at his campaign rallies.
Since the Cold War liberal-style democracy has become the basic model of international interventions, many times with disastrous consequences as seen in Iraq’s 2003 invasion, the aggression against Afghanistan in 2001, the 2011 Nato massacres in Libya, and of course the ruinous economic strangulation of Zimbabwe after the popular 2000 land redistribution programme.
The murderous illegal Western-imposed sanctions left the country so devastated that a violent clash between local sympathisers of liberal-style democracy and proponents of local concepts became inevitable — leading to very high levels of polarisation, itself manifesting through political violence, and even degenerating to attacks on minor members of families of political opponents.
Some people had their children killed for the political beliefs of their parents, while some children studying in Western countries were barbarically persecuted and expelled in a blatantly arbitrary way — all because they happened to be born to parents whose political beliefs did not coincide with the beliefs of politicians in their host countries.
With a legacy of the stolen generation, it appears Australia still has no problems meting ruthless measures on minors, as was seen in 2007 with the expulsion of children born to Zanu-PF members.
In the eighties the disasters of liberal-style democracy interventions were quite devastating on Latin American states, and of note was the Allende violent ousting of 1974 in Chile, the ruining of millions of lives in Nicaragua, the deadly US invasion of tiny Grenada, the Haiti blood-shedding, and many such examples as Cambodia.
Not only have liberal-style democracy interventions been used as regime change tools by Western powers; they have also been used to provide post-conflict solutions, and many times such solutions are hijacked to coincide with the imperial interests of those offering post-conflict electoral assistance.
We saw this with our own independence vote in 1980 where liberal-style democracy glaringly backed Abel Muzorewa’s UANC and was in subtle opposition to the liberation parties Zanu and Zapu.
This was the same scenario with the Namibia independence vote in November 1989, followed by the February 1990 UN supervision of the post-conflict Nicaragua election, and the ill-fated referendum on the independence of Western Sahara in 1991, as well as the 1992 Cambodia intervention.
The problems associated with these interventions could not be ignored by President Mugabe’s Government and this is precisely why UN electoral assistance was turned down for the July 31 election.
No sane revolutionary would want to facilitate the manipulation of his people by forces serving the interests of foreigners over the country’s economic resources.
Increasingly elections have become a tool of international intervention and also an exit strategy in conflict situations. The 2001 East Timor elections were an exit strategy for the Indonesian occupying forces, and even our own independence elections were largely seen as a face-saving exit strategy for the defeated Ian Smith and his Rhodesian forces.
The model of liberal-style democracy elections is quite simple. It includes registration of voters, codes of conduct, information campaigns, voter education and a subsequent secret ballot. The model is more procedural than it serves the pragmatic interests of locals.
The model does not always work out well and it is not in itself an assurance that power will be transferred from losers to winners. In Egypt the winners have been forced to surrender power back to the losers through the barrel of the gun, and there is tacit American support to that travesty.
Freeness and fairness of elections is measured by simple criteria such as the amount of violence, and we are supposed to abide by such limitations. Rarely is electoral assistance for democratic elections evaluated as a tool for influencing the opinion of voters, or as unfair to the unfavoured contestants sidelined by the providers of such assistance.
When one is looking at the evenness of the political playing field, such factors as the illegal sanctions imposed on some Zimbabwean politicians cannot be overlooked. It is not sensible for the EU to apply for accreditation to observe elections involving contestants the organisation has excluded from the list of credible human beings. You cannot make a fair judgment of an election which in your eyes pits human beings and a set of beasts.
This is precisely why only those who believe that the Zimbabwean election is between equal contesting human beings have been allowed to observe the election.
The labelling of Western enemies as tyrants or murderous monsters is largely a disenfranchising tactic to sway opinion against people seen as a threat to imperial expansionism, and Zanu-PF is undoubtedly the targeted Western enemy in Zimbabwe — purely because the party is nationalist and so hard focused on empowering its people through independent nationalism.
A revisit of most of the countries where electoral assistance has been deemed to have produced “free and fair” elections will show that these countries have not necessarily turned into well-functioning democracies, even by the controversial standards of proclaimed success stories like the United States — a country that publicly seeks to kill its own citizens for daring to inform the world that the US government spies on almost every individual in the world.
The short-term focus on the conduct of elections does not in itself present a reliable tool for genuine democratisation — especially the long-term democratisation of the economy.
It is simply myopic to assume that by merely securing a label of credibility for this year’s election Zimbabwe will suddenly become a democratised society. A democratised society is not merely a country carrying out free and fair elections to the satisfaction of all others.
Rather it is a country whose political, economic and social settings are all democratised and in the hands of the local people.
There is no such thing as democratisation without the indigenisation of all political, social and economic processes.
There is simply no way a short-term international involvement can ever create a permanent system of political legitimacy, and this is precisely why non-Western societies cannot be democratised by liberal-style Western standards.
Non-Western societies are often based on a strong independent political culture that is incompatible with Western values and interests and, as such, will have to be tamed for imperial interests to prevail.
In Zimbabwe we have local interests currently focused on the economic empowerment of locals, and people are greatly inspired by the significant success of the 2000 land reform programme, especially through the immense success of tobacco farmers.
The only political legitimacy that can be described as democratic and acceptable is that which falls within the confines of land ownership and economic empowerment by the indigenous people.
There is diminished interest in the belief that only foreigners can create employment for locals, and this is precisely why President Robert Mugabe is having a far easier task campaigning than the IMF-obsessed Morgan Tsvangirai.
Fundamentally the difference between indigenous political legitimacy and the international democratic concept raises more questions than answers. Is Jacob Zuma’s South Africa democratic simply on the basis of his ANC persistently winning elections that are deemed free and fair by those enjoying the benefits of the natural resources of the country?
Or is it truer democracy for Julius Malema to seek equality for South Africa by advocating for the nationalisation of land and mineral resources?
It is rather presumptuous to assume that people have a free choice by simply participating in an election rated as free and fair by foreign observers. The underlying paradigmatic constraints cannot be ignored or wished away.
Our democratic choice as Zimbabweans was limited to the political sphere since independence in 1980, and the 2000 shift towards economic choice has enhanced the path to the fullness of democracy in the country.
In Zimbabwe there is this sharp contrast between the application of internationally accepted paradigms and the local population’s idea of political legitimacy.
We are in a country where political legitimacy is derived from a number of superseding factors, chiefly identification with the liberation legacy, indisputable belief in nationalist sovereignty, patriotic support for the land reform legacy, and unwavering support for the indigenisation of the economy.
Not even Tsvangirai himself believes that there is political legitimacy in preaching the virtues of the IMF or that of Western influences.
At his best all Tsvangirai can say about the West and his adored IMF is “our rich friends” from the international community. He cannot name these entities by name in public. That would be political suicide, and he knows it.
All he can say to convey the message that his backers want the land reform reversed is “we will have to revisit the land redistribution programme.”
These veiled and vague utterances clearly show where political legitimacy lies in Zimbabwe, and there is no doubt that Morgan Tsvangirai himself is aware that his political agenda fails to coincide with the diktats of political legitimacy in the country.
Zimbabwe we are one and together we will overcome. It is homeland or death!
Reason Wafawarova is a political writer based in Sydney, Australia.
Labels: REASON WAFAWAROVA
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Development projects are for all people
By Editor
Tue 30 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
DANIEL Munkombwe's appeal to the people of Sinazongwe to embrace government development projects even if they are not in favour of the party in power deserves favourable considerations.
Every political grouping must take pains to promote the common good of all, with little or no regard to who brings about that common good. But in a democracy, government is a means by which we can act together to protect what is important to us and to promote our collective wellbeing. The fundamental moral criterion for all economic and political decisions, policies and institutions is this: they must be at the service of all people, especially the poor.
Politics is about serving the needs of all people and bringing about development of all. It is about how society organises itself; how those entrusted with authority and leadership exercise their authority to meet the needs of the people. Authority is exercised legitimately if it is committed to the common good of society. So when it comes to issues of development, all need to cooperate. This is so because no single individual or institution can single-handedly bring about development.
And we shouldn't cheat ourselves that one individual, all by himself, can change this country. The best government in the world, the best president, the best parliament, the best political party, cannot achieve much on their own.
For all these development projects the government is embarking on to succeed, all have to take part and make a contribution. And it would also be wrong for us to expect a general remedy from those in government only. Development and democracy include participation and therefore responsibility from us all.
If we realise this, then we will not entertain destructive and frustrated elements who want government development programmes to succeed only and only if it is them running government. If we realise this, we will see a reversal of economic fortunes in this country.
If we accept things as such, we will understand that it's up to us all, and up to us only, to develop our country and thus improve our lives.
We cannot blame everything that is not going well on those in government, not only because it would be untrue, but also because it could blunt the duty that each of us faces today, namely, the obligation to act independently, freely, reasonably, and quickly.
It will not make sense for some people to stay away from government development programmes in their areas until a political party they desire gets into government. What if it never gets into government?
It shouldn't matter which political party is in power when it comes to issues of development because it is not something a political party can own. UNIP doesn't own any of the development projects they undertook. Whatever they did today belongs to Zambia and is being administered by the government of the day. Some of the projects the current government is undertaking were not initiated by itself; they are projects which were left by the previous government.
It really doesn't make sense for one to think they can only support the country's development projects if their party is in power and they are the ones running things. One who thinks this way is not fit to govern and should never be trusted with power. For a patriot, it shouldn't matter who is in power when it comes to development projects. With or without them, the country must make progress, the living standards of our people must improve. Patriots never seek to win elections on the back of national failure.
We have politicians who take great pleasure in the failure of our government to meet certain development targets. If inflation is on the rise, they rejoice. If the kwacha is depreciating, they celebrate. If copper prices are falling, it pleases them. There are some who don't even want the national soccer team to win a match because it will give their political opponents in government some credibility, some success to hold on to. So they rejoice when the national soccer team loses. How can such people be entrusted with national leadership? Everything should start and end with them, including national development. If they are not in power, the country should economically collapse.
Good leaders encourage the active participation of all citizens in building one another and society at large. Every citizen has a responsibility to cooperate with government to bring about positive change in their communities - "try to do what everyone considers to be good" (Romans 12:17).
Clearly, the common good is the reason that political authority exists. It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. Everyone has the right to participate in the economic life, and the duty to contribute to the progress, of his or her own country.
There are politicians who are worried that if the development projects the Patriotic Front government has embarked on succeed, it will not be possible for them to win the next elections. So everything possible is being done to frustrate such projects and ensure that they do not succeed. And the only reason these projects should be frustrated is to enable them to win elections. For them to win elections, it doesn't matter what happens to the country and to the wellbeing of our people.
Being in power is everything to them. They are ready to do anything to win the next elections no matter how much it hurts the people.
Therefore, judging by what's going on, the two most decisive factors affecting our country and our people's future will be economic development and political leadership. Economic development makes democracy possible; political leadership makes it real.
And the political leadership we are talking about is not only that in government or the ruling party, but also that of the opposition. A destructive, negative, unpatriotic and greedy opposition political leadership can be a serious fetter on national economic development. If you have an opposition that is ready to campaign for economic sanctions to be imposed on the country then you have a problem.
We certainly don't want what we saw in Zimbabwe, where the opposition joined forces with imperialist nations to impose sanctions on their country, to happen here. We have challenges, and they are many, but we can resolve them in a more patriotic way without having to cripple our country economically the way Zimbabwe had been crippled for over a decade.
It shouldn't be forgotten that when the national economy suffers, it's not one group or one person who suffers. It's like rain; when it pours it's not only one man's house that gets wet.
Labels: DANIEL MUNKOMBWE
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MMD rift widens
By Kombe Chimpinde
Tue 30 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
MMD vice-president Michael Kaingu says MMD is bigger than Nevers Mumba. And Kaingu says that Mumba is the one sending youths to insult Dr Brian Chituwo, Kapembwa Simbao and Kabinga Pande.
Kaingu said ever since he, Chituwo, Simbao and Pande went to meet Mumba to discuss the state of affairs in the party, they decided to show leadership by keeping quiet, while people like Bowman Lusambo had continued issuing insults against them in the press.
"I have not issued any statement, and from the people's side, there is not a single person who has made a statement. There is only one side that is making statements," Kaingu said.
"Let me tell you something, MMD is not about one person. It is bigger than all of us. We have a lot of people. MMD is all of us including president Nevers Mumba, and MMD is going to clean itself and those who will not be found fit in the MMD formula, they should leave on their own or MMD will throw them out. That is all because at the end of the day we (MMD) want to form government and that is what the people want."
Kaingu said in reference to Lusambo's media address at the party secretariat yesterday that it was shameful for a suspended party member to be allowed to make statements at the party secretariat.
He dismissed assertions that a group of 'MMD die hard' youths aggrieved by his statement were slated to go and manhandle some officials at the secretariat in Lusaka.
"Let me tell you that even if I organise 15 or 20 youth to protect me or the four of us, if MMD does not like me, there is nothing I am doing," he said.
Kaingu warned that inciting violence would not solve the problems the party is facing.
"When you bake a piece of cake and it does not come out nicely, even if you put decorations, icing and whatever, you are wasting your time. The cake is not good. MMD is still a good party. Everywhere you go, they will tell you MMD is very strong but you must look at your leadership and me as vice-president political, I have received so many calls from North-Western Province and everywhere," Kaingu said.
"One of us (chairperson for mines Maxwell Mwale) has just resigned, find out why Hon Mwale left. Find out why Canisius Banda left. Find out why people are leaving because they are giving reasons why they are leaving and I am sure they are not saying that 'Kaingu is a bad man'. MMD is big, bigger than all of us."
And Kaingu said it was unfortunate that as vice-president, he was no longer aware of party activities.
"The only thing I see is a young man, in the name of Bowman Lusambo, insulting the leaders. It's shameful and it is not that we cannot find people to insult also. I don't think leadership makes us to react in that manner," Kaingu said.
"I am MMD and even my blood smells MMD. Let those who want to destroy the party destroy it. That is my comment. My party card is 159,500, that is my card. A 1991 card, that is my card and I am MMD through and through and I will not be part of the people who want to destroy it. They have a reason to do that."
Kaingu said he and his three colleagues at the helm of MMD were made of different material and that a time would come when they would decide the way forward in a mature and orderly manner.
"If the four of us react, as a group or as individuals then we won't be solving anything. Remember the four of us were cabinet ministers, it means there is a lot of leadership in us," said Kaingu.
Lusambo recently described Kaingu, Pande, Dr Chituwo and Simbao as political serial killers for asking Mumba to step down as party president following poor performance and its dwindling fortunes.
And when contacted for a comment, Mumba's aide Nakacinda, who opted to speak on his behalf, said he would not be dragged into petty issues.
"These are supposed to be senior leaders of the party, so if they are senior leaders of the party, they are supposed to discuss those issues with the president. They have access to the president. There is nobody who can say the president is shielded from them," he said.
"Vice-president political Kaingu is immediate to the president. Have you ever heard the president say anything or comment on anything on this matter? You can't take Bowman, just like himself, for example what happened to his daughter Iris as his affair; his daughter is an individual and made an individual decision to do whatever happened and he (Kaingu) can't be held responsible. Equally, Bowman is an individual who had been operating as party symphathiser of MMD way before Mr Mumba became president."
He said Bowman was not a mouthpiece of Mumba and that he was a person the party was trying to manage.
He said Mumba was focused on organising the party and not petty issues.
"If the party chooses that is the way to go, it's their choice. If there is any issue that arises within or outside the party, there is no problem that is insurmountable for the party, even in this situation there is no need for the leaders to panic, all they need is to use the same courage to take the step they are reported to have taken to also have the courage, in a mature and orderly manner, and focus on what they want to resolve because they are saying all that in the interest of the party," said Nakacinda.
Labels: MICHAEL KAINGU, MMD, NEVERS MUMBA
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Prof Chirwa sees signs of fatigue in PF
By Henry Sinyangwe
Tue 30 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
THERE are signs of fatigue on the part of the PF in terms of ingenuity of vision to deliver on promises, says Professor Clive Chirwa. And Prof Chirwa says politics in his life is a thing of the past.
Prof Chirwa on Friday advised the PF to stick to the vibrancy in its original vision to raise the living standards of the people. He said the PF should re-look the policies it had put in place after winning the 2011 general elections.
"The political climate in the country is showing some fatigue in terms of ingenuity of vision to do things. I would have liked is to see the vibrant vision which the PF started with to be continued. But at the moment, you are seeing ups and downs in that vision. And once you see ups and downs in that vision, people start saying 'okay, perhaps things are going wrong somewhere'. So what we need to do is to go back and look at the policies which we had put at the beginning, when the elections were won," he said in an interview.
He noted that things were not going according to plan but there was progress, nevertheless, which he said was paramount.
"To me, progress is on. There are still things which are going right, but there are also things which are going wrong and, therefore, it's the wrong things now which they need to iron out in order to deliver what they promised the Zambian people," Prof Chirwa said.
"The one and half years have been a learning curve, like everybody else who comes into power, one and half years is not good enough to say these people can fail or succeed. When they come to two and half years, getting halfway the line, then you can judge them on exactly how they are doing."
He said there was need for policies that would earn the country more revenue from copper, the country's mainstay.
"Economically, I can see a lot of benefits in the second term of this particular Parliament from the things they have put forward, but those good things and good values in terms of economic performance of this country will always be dependent on copper. So if copper goes down, the economy goes down vice-versa," Prof Chirwa said.
"The only thing which I am a little bit worried about is last year, copper revenues were very low. In fact, inland revenue figures in some cases were a little bit lower than even the other year's. There is need for policies to maximise revenues from copper."
And Prof Chirwa says there is need to change the law so that when one moves from one party to another, they should not be allowed to contest the resulting by-election but only stand during general elections.
Asked whether he would consider getting into active politics Prof Chirwa said:
"My next step is not a political one; my next step is to remain a technocrat so that I can contribute to developing Zambia. Politics to me I think is my past. I do not want to come back into politics. I want to maintain my sanity and I will remain as a technocrat permanently."
On Zambia Railways, Prof Chirwa stated that his vision was the best avenue to achieving a modern railway with little money.
"What is transpiring now, where the Eurobond money is just going to be used for the rehabilitation is not correct for the simple reason that it is not enough and will be wasted before the rehabilitation part of the project is even completed," he stated.
He encouraged the new management to embrace his vision so that they can take the company forward.
"As a technocrat and not a politician - although I have helped political parties get into power through my understanding of economics, analytical and statistical skills - I will once again urge the engineers at ZRL to do what is right for the company. At present moment, Zambia Railways is losing too much money," stated Prof Chirwa.
Labels: CLIVE CHIRWA, PF
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Mwale leaves MMD for UPND
By Moses Kuwema and Christopher Miti
Tue 30 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
FORMER Malambo constituency member of parliament Maxwell Mwale has defected to the UPND from the MMD. And UPND vice-president Dr Canicius Banda has called on Zambians to rise and protest against the PF government now instead of waiting for 2016.
Mwale said he had joined UPND because he was part of a new generation of politicians from Eastern Province who were able to see the future that UPND would form the next government.
"I subscribe to UPND manifesto because it's the one that will develop this country. I have resigned with all the wards in Malambo Constituency," he said at the UPND secretariat, where he was introduced.
In his resignation letter addressed to MMD president Nevers Mumba, Mwale stated that he had resigned due to pressing personal commitments.
"The many personal commitments have left me with no choice but to move on, on this political journey. May I put on record my indebtedness to the party on whose platform I was accorded an opportunity to serve in government and NEC to the best of my ability. I am equally thankful to have had an opportunity to serve under your leadership," read Mwale's letter of resignation.
Meanwhile, MMD Eastern Province chairperson Alexander Miti said Mwale was inciting people in the area to defect to UPND with him.
"All I can say for now is that this is a very sad development because honourable Maxwell Mwale, as a man of his status, should clearly indicate to MMD what his position really is. If he can't officially communicate with the MMD what his intentions are, we are wondering what exactly he is up to," Miti said.
He said Mwale had been a senior member of the MMD and that he even got the position of chairman for mines.
"He (Mwale) is one person who has enjoyed a lot of respect in the party. As provincial chairman, I have not received any official communication on the move by honourable Maxwell Mwale ditching MMD but I am aware of the activities going on in Malambo, where I have heard that he is going round in the constituency, trying to urge people to join UPND with him," Miti said.
Last week, Mambwe district MMD chairperson Zephaniah Kaleya warned that Mwale would be bruised if he continued to champion the UPND cause with former labour minister Austin Liato in the district.
And Dr Banda, briefing the press, alleged that the PF had betrayed Zambians.
"We the people must rise and protest, we must not wait for 2016. Every youth must protest and say we need jobs," he said.
Dr Banda said the UPND was the only party that had grown in terms of numbers of members in the National Assembly.
He claimed that the UPND would form government and that those who were thinking that this would happen in 2016 would be shocked as the party was likely to form government earlier than 2016.
And commenting on the shortage of anti-retrovirals drugs in health centres, Dr Banda said the country's national response to HIV was in danger of collapsing because of the PF.
Meanwhile, newly elected Solwezi East member of parliament Villie Lombanya said the PF's arrogance was getting out of hand.
Lombanya said PF were behaving as though they were the alpha and omega.
"They should realise that this country once had the mighty UNIP and MMD; where are they?" asked Lombanya.
Labels: CANISIUS BANDA, MAXWELL MWALE, MMD, UPND
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Mulongoti asks Munkombwe to name misguided politicians
By Henry Sinyangwe
Tue 30 July 2013, 14:01 CAT
MIKE Mulongoti says Daniel Munkombwe should specify the individuals who practice misguided politics.
Commenting on the Southern Province minister's statement that misguided politics can intoxicate communities, Mulongoti, who is the People's Party president, said he would be happy if the message were specific.
"I have listened to him during the burial of chief Mapanza, and he delivered the same message and he has been very consistent. I would be happy if he was more specific by mentioning the individuals practicing those misguided politics. But it seems he is addressing people in Southern Province and has not cast the net wide," he said.
Mulongoti said people would like to find out what Munkombwe meant in his statement.
"We shall learn along the road, what he means because there has been all sorts of statements from him concerning leadership and he is continuing with that," said Mulongoti.
When he officiated at the Lwiindi Maliko traditional ceremony of the Tonga-speaking people of Sinazongwe last Saturday, Munkombwe said the tragedy of politics was that, during elections, people forgot about any achievement made in a particular area.
Labels: DANIEL MUNKOMBWE, MIKE MULONGOTI, MMD
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Youths are not being taught to earn a living - Chikalipa
By Oswald Sichone in Kafue
Tue 30 July 2013, 14:00 CAT
UNITED Church of Zambia's Resurrection congregation minister in-charge Reverend Mwimba Chikalipa says many youths fail to live independent lives after school because they are taught that they are being educated in order to get employed and not to earn a living.
Delivering his sermon on Sunday, Rev Chikalipa said teachers were to blame for teaching pupils that they go to school in order to get employed.
"We do not go to school in order to get employed but to make life easier. Most of the youths nowadays are languishing in poverty because they think that getting employed is the only thing that can change their lives. This is so because they are taught at school that they are being educated in order to get employed and when they are not employed they turn into destitutes. School is only there to make our lives easier and whether you get employed or not life should continue. As stewards of God's creation, we must utilitise what God has given us; we have abundant land and water which youths can use to sustain their lives. Education will never make us become what God wants us to be," he said.
Rev Chikalipa said God had imparted gifts in human beings which if well used could help many jobless youths sustain their lives.
Meanwhile, a local social justice activist has disclosed that he would next month embark on a 460 kilometre walk from Livingstone to Lusaka to raise awareness on the plight of children born in prisons.
Juma Chipeta said the walk to be undertaken in the second week of August would among other things raise awareness on the plight of children being subjected to prison conditions because their mothers are incarcerated.
Chipeta said his walk was also aimed at lobbying the government to come up with strategies aimed at addressing "modern day slavery" as most children with blind parents spent most of their time escorting their parents as they go begging in the streets instead of being in school.
"Modern day slavery is becoming rampant in Zambia and I hope to use my walk to raise awareness on issues regarding the plight of children who are born when their parents are still serving sentences. Prisoners in most prisons are locked up from 16:00 hours to 08:00 the following morning and when their child who is innocent gets sick, he/she has to wait for the next day to be attended to.. this makes them to go through the same harsh condition of our prisons because currently our prisons do not have places for prisoners with small children."
He said he intends to end his walk with a press briefing where he would present a petition to the government on the plight of children.
Labels: MWIMBA CHIKALIPA
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(SUNDAY MAIL ZW) Latest: Adopt a mindset that promotes confidence- President
Monday, 29 July 2013 14:31
Sunday Mail Reporter
President Mugabe has implored Zimbabweans to adopt a mindset that promotes confidence in their capabilities and skills. Addressing thousands of Zanu-PF supporters at his final star rally in Harare on Sunday, Cde Mugabe said colonialists deliberately conditioned many indigenous Zimbabweans to believe the white man was superior. He said locals must instead believe in themselves and realise that they will not fail to run key economic sectors given the skills and sound education they have acquired.
The Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Programme seeks to make a cross section of Zimbabweans, including the youth, company owners and not just employees, he added.
“Muno zvainzi gold ndere Lonrho, Anglo-American nana Rio Tinto. They wanted us to benefit by way of labour and according to their economics. We must rewrite economics books our children learn. They were written to serve the purpose of colonialism. So, their economics must go and we must introduce our economics here.
“. . .Hezvi tinoda vadiki vedu vasimbaradzwe nokuti ndivo vachengeti venhaka dzedu. Mangwana, vakuru venhaka yanhasi vanenge vasisipo. Hatingavasiye vasina (nhaka). Ndokusaka takauya neindigenisation yakabatwa nava (Saviour) Kasukuwere.
“Our wealth is our wealth. We must own our natural resources. Our land belongs to us Zimbabweans. Zimbabwe’s land is an asset for Zimbabweans and must enrich Zimbabweans.
“If others want to have a share of our wealth, then they should come and join us not as masters, but as subordinates to us. Hatirambe. The main shareholding must be that of Zimbabweans. Isu tinenge takabata kukobvu, ivo vakabata kutete.”
Labels: LIBERATION, ROBERT MUGABE, ZANU-PF
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(SUNDAY MAIL ZW) Latest: Obasanjo expresses confidence in Zimbabwe’s electoral systems
Monday, 29 July 2013 14:59
Kuda Bwititi Senior Reporter
African Union Election Observer Mission leader Mr Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed confidence in Zimbabwe’s electoral systems, saying the country has the capacity to conduct credible polls. Addressing journalists soon after meeting MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai in Harare today, Mr Obasanjo said he has already been briefed on the election preparations by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec).
He said his team would only observe the poll and act as “a truthful (information) transmitter”.
“We are hoping for the best. We are going to meet different stakeholders, but whoever we meet, we will try to find out which areas need to be corrected,” said the former Nigerian president who arrived in the country on Saturday.
“Yesterday, when we met the commission (Zec), we said to them that as we go along, there might be things that we want to pass to them because we are not here to conduct the elections but to observe. We are only here as a truthful transmitter.”
Mr Obasanjo said Mr Tsvangirai raised various concerns during today’s meeting.
He added that he would also meet other presidential candidates, civil society representatives, local observers and diplomats, among the different stakeholder groups.
Labels: 2013 ELECTIONS (ZW), OLUSEGUN OBASANJO
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(TALKZIMBABWE) Tsvangirai wants ZEC disbanded
This article was written by Our reporter on 30 July, at 06 : 35 AM
MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai has called on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission secretariat to resign saying they are working in cohorts with Zanu-PF to rig the elections slated for tomorrow. Speaking at the last rally of the MDC-T party before the elections Tsvangirai said ZEC had lost credibility.
“The whole of ZEC has lost credibility and should resign. They are working in cohorts with Zanu-PF to rig elections. “Vanhu ava ndisu takavaisa pachigaro, saka tinogona kuvabvisa (We appointed these people, we can remove them from their position)”, said Tsvangirai.
“ZEC are not up to their responsibility, they should change their ways,” he added.
He said the legitimacy and credibility of Wednesday’s election lies with ZEC.
“The legitimacy and credibility of this election lies with ZEC, they are the ones who are helping (President) Mugabe stay in power and should be immediately disbanded.”
He said that he had briefed the visiting African Union Observer Team about the MDC-T’s concerns.
The African Union meanwhile has said that the situation in Zimbabwe is conducive for a free and fair election.
Zimbabweans cast their vote for local, parliamentary and presidential elections tomorrow.
Labels: 2013 ELECTIONS (ZW), MDC, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI, ZEC
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(TALKZIMBABWE) MDC-T wants special vote results nullified
This article was written by Our reporter on 30 July, at 04 : 28 AM
MDC-T has filed an application at the Constitutional Court seeking to nullify the special voting conducted on July 14 and 15, alleging voting was flawed.
The party filed the application immediately after the same court granted the Zimbabwe Election Commission’s application to allow those security officers and ZEC officials who failed to vote by special ballot to join the rest of the citizens tomorrow in exercising their voting right.
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai and the party secretary-general Tendai Biti were second and third applicants in the court application that was filed on Friday afternoon.
ZEC, its chairperson Justice Rita Makarau, and six other officials are listed as respondents in the application.
In his founding affidavit, Mr Tsvangirai stated that special voting was flawed and that it should be declared null and void and that all the police officers, prison officers, soldiers and ZEC officials should start afresh together with the whole nation tomorrow.
“This exercise was marred with several technical and administrative flaws which second respondent (Justice Makarau), acting on first respondent’s (ZEC) behalf, has conceded in an application filed before this Honourable Court under case number CCZ64/13,” read the affidavit.
Mr Tsvangirai indicated that he received disturbing reports of some ballot papers that were picked up on the floor at the Harare International Conference Centre.
This, according to him, reflected that the special vote conducted by ZEC would undermine the credibility of the outcome of the July 31 poll.
“In particular, it has come to the applicants’ attention that first to third respondents (ZEC, Justice Makarau and the chief election officer) have not been diligent with critical issues such as protecting the secrecy of the vote for those who cast the special vote as well as securing the ballots cast in the special voting process.
“This has resulted in some envelopes containing the ballot papers not being secured in ballot boxes and being strewn in the environs of the Harare International Conference Centre from where some of the ballot papers have been picked,” read the affidavit.
Mr Tsvangirai claims his election agents received the copies of the ballot papers from some unknown people and brought them to the party’s attention.
He argued the alleged failure to ensure the safekeeping of the electoral material showed ZEC reneged on its constitutional duties as set out in Section 156(c) (ii) of the Constitution.
It is Mr Tsvangirai’s contention that ZEC’s failure to ensure the safekeeping of the election material infringed on MDC-T’s right to administrative justice as well as their political rights.
TH-TZG
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(TALKZIMBABWE) Tsvangirai dumped by key allies
This article was written by Our reporter on 30 July, at 04 : 13 AM
MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai has continued his solo rigging tune at a time when his allies in the NGO sector and Western diplomatic community are agreed Zimbabwe is on course to credible elections.
Yesterday, US ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Bruce Wharton and his Swedish counterpart Mr Lars Ronnas commended the peaceful environment in the run up to tomorrow’s harmonised elections.
IT never rains, but pours for MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai who continued his solo rigging tune at a time when his allies in the NGO sector and Western diplomatic community are agreed Zimbabwe is on course to credible elections.Yesterday, US ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Bruce Wharton and his Swedish counterpart Mr Lars Ronnas commended the peaceful environment in the run up to tomorrow’s harmonised elections.
The two envoys spoke as the National Constitutional Assembly, an erstwhile MDC-T ally, laid into Mr Tsvangirai for making unsubstantiated rigging claims, a position that dovetails with assessments by the African Union Long-Term Observer Mission pre-election report released last Friday.
New Ziana quoted NCA spokesman Mr Maddock Chivasa slamming MDC-T for making unsubstantiated vote-rigging claims.
“As the NCA, we are however, disappointed by recent statements by some of the participating parties who are citing vote-rigging by ZEC, a commission they set-up as the inclusive government,” Mr Chivasa said.
MDC-T, which is widely tipped to suffer a heavy defeat in the elections, has been launching vitriolic attacks on ZEC, accusing the commission of bias and being ill-prepared to conduct the elections.
Mr, Chivasa, however, said the prevailing environment was conducive for free and fair elections.
“The assessment we have done so far indicate the conditions these elections are being held under are conducive for an election and we do hope that the will of the people will be respected when the results are announced,” he said.
NCA is observing the election under the umbrella of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network.
The NCA spokesman said it was important that the outcome of the poll be respected, urging those who will be aggrieved to have their grievances addressed through the courts.
“We encourage all participants to this election to accept the will of the people by accepting the election results,” he said.
NCA encouraged all registered Zimbabweans to go out and vote, reminding them that thousands of liberation fighters fought for the right to vote.
Mr Wharton and Mr Ronnas also hailed the election environment in a meeting they held with Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa at Zanu-PF Headquarters yesterday.
“I am excited to hear you speak about peace and calm which matches what we are seeing and I would want to congratulate the people of Zimbabwe for that,” Mr Wharton said.
Mr Ronnas concurred and urged Zimbabweans to remain peaceful.
“The climate we have seen so far has been characterised by peace and calm and we expect it would prevail in the days to come.”
The utterances by the two Western ambassadors come in the wake of similar remarks by the European Union ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Aldo Dell’Ariccia two weeks ago when he acknowledged that the electoral environment was peaceful.
The African Union has since hailed preparations for the elections, saying Zimbabwe was on course to a credible poll, a position that flies in the face of MDC-T which has been making unsubstantiated claims of vote-rigging and intimidation, a development analysts put down to an attempt to create self-fulfilling prophecies to atone for pending defeat in the harmonised elections.
Minister Chinamasa said everything was in place for the elections and said distribution of voting materials was on course and was expected to have been completed last night.
“ZEC has been working closely with us political parties from the Special Vote, the printing of ballots, the quantities of ballots that information has been shared. Political parties were invited to where the ballots were being printed right up to their dispatch they are being kept informed,” he said.
Minister Chinamasa dismissed the MDC-T’s claims saying they were an attempt to find excuses to reject imminent defeat in the harmonised elections.
“The spirit of the gallant heroes who fought for this county’s independence will conspire against to deliver a humiliating defeat to the neo-colonialist forces here masquerading as the MDC formations,” he said.
Minister Chinamasa, who also met observers from various African countries, Comesa and the Namibian government, said there was nothing amiss in ZEC printing 8 million ballots as this had been agreed to by all parties while the Electoral Act also allowed for the printing of more ballots than the registered voters.
There are approximately 6, 4 million registered voters and some observers were raising questions on the disparity.
He, however, said every ballot will be accounted for.
Minister Chinamasa also told the observers groups that they had to take into account that Zimbabwe was under illegal sanctions when they make their reports on the freeness and fairness of the elections.
“When we are talking about freeness and fairness of elections we must know that this is a country under sanctions, where pirate radio stations are beaming into our airspace and have intensified their hate message in the lead time to the elections.
“There are also over 3 500 NGOs which are operating in the country and were established to create a false impression about human rights abuses so that they can effect regime change.
“We have gone to the elections not because we wanted but the Constitution says so. We could simply have said remove the sanctions, stop pirate radio stations and funding of newspapers before we could go to the elections,” he said.
Minister Chinamasa also told the various observer groups that Zimbabwe’s laws were clear on who was supposed to announce election results.
This followed threats by the MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai in Domboshava last week that he would announce the results illegally.
“If there are some who wish to do that and then come to you (complaining if arrested) don’t let them pull wool over your eyes. This is a law (Electoral Act) which we all agreed to and everyone must abide by it.
“If any person who is not happy with what is happening there is recourse at the Electoral Court or even Constitutional Court. If Zanu-PF is not happy they will run to the courts and I expect all other parties to do so.
“The only arbiter over these issues should be the courts. If anyone does not abide by this then the law will take its course,” Minister Chinamasa said.
President Mugabe also warned Mr Tsvangirai that he would be arrested if he were to go ahead with his threats.
Meanwhile Minister Chinamasa also met with the head of the AU observer group and former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo whom he briefed on the situation on the ground ahead of the elections.
The two envoys spoke as the National Constitutional Assembly, an erstwhile MDC-T ally, laid into Mr Tsvangirai for making unsubstantiated rigging claims, a position that dovetails with assessments by the African Union Long-Term Observer Mission pre-election report released last Friday.
NCA spokesman Mr Maddock Chivasa slammed MDC-T for making unsubstantiated vote-rigging claims.
“As the NCA, we are however, disappointed by recent statements by some of the participating parties who are citing vote-rigging by ZEC, a commission they set-up as the inclusive government,” Mr Chivasa said.
MDC-T, which is widely tipped to suffer a heavy defeat in the elections, has been launching vitriolic attacks on ZEC, accusing the commission of bias and being ill-prepared to conduct the elections.
Mr, Chivasa, however, said the prevailing environment was conducive for free and fair elections.
“The assessment we have done so far indicate the conditions these elections are being held under are conducive for an election and we do hope that the will of the people will be respected when the results are announced,” he said.
NCA is observing the election under the umbrella of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network.
The NCA spokesman said it was important that the outcome of the poll be respected, urging those who will be aggrieved to have their grievances addressed through the courts.
“We encourage all participants to this election to accept the will of the people by accepting the election results,” he said.
NCA encouraged all registered Zimbabweans to go out and vote, reminding them that thousands of liberation fighters fought for the right to vote.
Mr Wharton and Mr Ronnas also hailed the election environment in a meeting they held with Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa at Zanu-PF Headquarters yesterday.
“I am excited to hear you speak about peace and calm which matches what we are seeing and I would want to congratulate the people of Zimbabwe for that,” Mr Wharton said.
Mr Ronnas concurred and urged Zimbabweans to remain peaceful.
“The climate we have seen so far has been characterised by peace and calm and we expect it would prevail in the days to come.”
Similar remarks by the European Union ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Aldo Dell’Ariccia two weeks ago when he acknowledged that the electoral environment was peaceful.
The African Union has since hailed preparations for the elections, saying Zimbabwe was on course to a credible poll, a position that flies in the face of MDC-T which has been making unsubstantiated claims of vote-rigging and intimidation, a development analysts put down to an attempt to create self-fulfilling prophecies to atone for pending defeat in the harmonised elections.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Minister Chinamasa said everything was in place for the elections and said distribution of voting materials was on course and was expected to have been completed last night.
“ZEC has been working closely with us political parties from the Special Vote, the printing of ballots, the quantities of ballots that information has been shared. Political parties were invited to where the ballots were being printed right up to their dispatch they are being kept informed,” he said.
Minister Chinamasa dismissed the MDC-T’s claims saying they were an attempt to find excuses to reject imminent defeat in the harmonised elections.
“The spirit of the gallant heroes who fought for this county’s independence will conspire against to deliver a humiliating defeat to the neo-colonialist forces here masquerading as the MDC formations,” he said.
Minister Chinamasa, who also met observers from various African countries, Comesa and the Namibian government, said there was nothing amiss in ZEC printing 8 million ballots as this had been agreed to by all parties while the Electoral Act also allowed for the printing of more ballots than the registered voters.
There are approximately 6,4 million registered voters and some observers were raising questions on the disparity.
He, however, said every ballot will be accounted for.
Minister Chinamasa also told the observers groups that they had to take into account that Zimbabwe was under illegal sanctions when they make their reports on the freeness and fairness of the elections.
“When we are talking about freeness and fairness of elections, we must know that this is a country under sanctions, where pirate radio stations are beaming into our airspace and have intensified their hate message in the lead time to the elections.
“There are also over 3,500 NGOs which are operating in the country and were established to create a false impression about human rights abuses so that they can effect regime change.
“We have gone to the elections not because we wanted but the Constitution says so. We could simply have said remove the sanctions, stop pirate radio stations and funding of newspapers before we could go to the elections,” he said.
Minister Chinamasa also told the various observer groups that Zimbabwe’s laws were clear on who was supposed to announce election results.
This followed threats by the MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai in Domboshava last week that he would announce the results illegally.
“If there are some who wish to do that and then come to you (complaining if arrested) don’t let them pull wool over your eyes. This is a law (Electoral Act) which we all agreed to and everyone must abide by it.
“If any person who is not happy with what is happening there is recourse at the Electoral Court or even Constitutional Court. If Zanu-PF is not happy they will run to the courts and I expect all other parties to do so.
“The only arbiter over these issues should be the courts. If anyone does not abide by this then the law will take its course,” Minister Chinamasa said.
President Mugabe also warned Mr Tsvangirai that he would be arrested if he were to go ahead with his threats.
Meanwhile Minister Chinamasa also met with the head of the AU observer group and former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo whom he briefed on the situation on the ground ahead of the elections.
TH-TZG
Labels: 2013 ELECTIONS (ZW), MORGAN TSVANGIRAI
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