(NEWZIMBABWE) More black Zimbabweans in Aussie than ex-Rhodies
Breaking the ice ... Ambassador Mathew Neuhaus meets Simon Khaya Moyo in Harare
09/07/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
AUSTRALIA’S Ambassador to Zimbabwe said Tuesday that there was now more black Zimbabweans in his country than Rhodesians as he opened the prospect of better relations between the two countries after this month’s elections.
"These elections are important for our future relations,” ambassador Matthew Neuhaus said during a meeting with Zanu PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo at the party’s Harare headquarters.
“There are now more black Zimbabweans in Australia than white Rhodesians. We also have a black Zimbabwean in our foreign service."
Uncertain about their future, an estimated 49 percent of the Zimbabwe's white population left the country after independence in 1980, the majority settling in South Africa and the UK while others emigrated to Australia, Canada as well as New Zealand.
Most of those who remained left beginning 2000 as the government started seizing white-owned farms 2000 to redistribute them to landless blacks.
But thousands of black Zimbabweans also followed them to escape a deepening economic and political crisis blamed by some analysts on the West's angry response to land reforms, among other problems.
Meanwhile, Neuhaus said he was holding meetings with all political parties as the country prepares for key polls on July 31 which will elect a substantive government to replace the coalition administration.
He said credible polls would help improve relations between the two countries which have been frayed after Canberra joined other Western countries in 2002 to impose sanctions against Harare over allegations of electoral fraud and human rights abuses.
Khaya Moyo however said Harare did not agree that Australia should have joined what he described as a dispute between Zimbabwe and the UK.
"We have nothing against Australia; not at all. We do not see the reason why Australia should be against us," he said.
"It (imposition of sanctions) is a great violation of human rights because many lives are at stake. Those who imposed sanctions should feel guilty because many people lost jobs and are suffering.”
Australia has since joined the European Union in easing the sanctions to reward for a series of reforms implemented by the coalition government which included a new Constitution.
Canberra has said it was ready to completely remove the sanctions provided Zimbabwe holds credible elections.
Labels: AUSTRALIA, SANCTIONS, SIMON KHAYA MOYO
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Presidium to address land allocation anomalies
Herald Reporter
THE Zanu-PF presidium will put mechanisms to rationalise challenges arising from double allocation of pieces of land, party national chairperson Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said yesterday.
Addressing party supporters at the official opening of Zanu-PF offices in Zvimba East, Cde Khaya Moyo said the party leadership was
disturbed by the eviction of resettled A1 farmers who were still waiting for their offer letters.
Zvimba East legislator Cde Patrick Zhuwao had raised concern with the eviction of A1 farmers who have been on the land since 2000 by people who bring A2 offer letters. He requested the presidium to withdraw such offer letters.
“We are going to meet as the presidium. President Mugabe, Vice President Joice Mujuru and I will meet to discuss the problems of A1 farmers being taken to courts by those people who have not been on the land,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
“This country was fought for by the people who are on the land now. Those who are now coming with offer letters were not there (the liberation struggle).
“Why should these people who have been at the farms for years be evicted? Where do you want them to go? This should stop because some of the people who are now coming with those offer letters do not even know where we came from.”
Cde Zhuwao said a number of A1 beneficiaries were being taken to court by people who bring A2 offer letters.
“The problem we have here is that some people are coming from Harare with top of the range vehicles to evict people who have been on the land since the year 2000 (when the land reform started).
“These people are taking people to courts on the strength of the A2 offer letters yet these people have been waiting for their (A1) offer letters for years.
“We are requesting that Clause 7 of the (A2) offer letters be invoked in areas where there are people who are still waiting for their offer letters. We cannot have our people staying in squatter camps in their country because they are yet to be given their offer letters,” said Cde Zhuwao.
Turning to the Zanu-PF Tashinga district offices, Cde Zhuwao said the community used its resources to construct the offices as a way of strengthening the party in the area.
Cde Khaya Moyo officially opened the offices that will be used for party activities.
There is a main wing office, a women’s league office and the one for the youth league.
Proceeds from the Mhondoro-Ngezi-Chegutu-Zvimba Community Share Ownership Trust were used to drill a borehole for use by the community.
Present at the ceremony were Zanu-PF national political commissar Cde Webster Shamu, Mashonaland West Governor Cde Fabber Chidarikire and former Mashonaland West Provincial chairperson Cde Philip Chiyangwa among others.
Meanwhile, Cde Khaya Moyo urged supporters to come out in their numbers and vote for the draft constitution tomorrow.
“You all have to vote Yes for the draft constitution because it came from you. The draft contains what you said you wanted to be in the constitution. We know some people tried to temper with it at the drafting stage but we corrected it by putting back your views.
“We know MDC formations are now claiming to have created this draft but if you look at its contents it reflects the issues that we said we wanted to be addressed. Wherever you are until Saturday you should all be reciting the “Yes” vote,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
Labels: A1 FARMERS, LAND REFORM, SIMON KHAYA MOYO
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Vice President John Nkomo dies
17/01/2013 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
VICE President John Landa Nkomo has died aged 79. Nkomo, who has been battling cancer, died at around noon Thursday, presidential spokesman George Charamba said.
"I can confirm that Vice President Nkomo has sadly passed away," Charamba said. Zanu PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo said Nkomo was rushed to Harare's St Annes Hospital on Wednesday night after his conditition "deteriorated".
Water Resources Minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, a cousin to Nkomo, also confirmed his death. The news was "devastating to the family", he said.
Meanwhile, the United States embassy issued a statement expressing its condolences to Nkomo's family and the people of Zimbabwe "on the death of Vice President John Landa Nkomo".
"Whether as a teacher, a politician, an advocate for Zimbabwe’s independence, or as a public servant, Vice President Nkomo was a patriot who dedicated his life to Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and prosperity," the embassy said.
"As a leader of PF Zapu and Zanu PF, Nkomo played an important role in shaping the course of Zimbabwean history. May he rest in peace".
Labels: GEORGE CHARAMBA, JOHN NKOMO, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF
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Zanu-PF to attend ANC conference
Friday, 14 December 2012 00:00
Herald Reporter
Zanu-PF National Chairman Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo will lead a high-powered delegation to South Africa for the 53rd National Elective Conference of the African National Congress. In a statement, Zanu-PF external affairs department said other former liberation movements in the region have also been invited to the conference.
The conference is slated for December 16 to 20 in Mangaung, Bloemfontein. Zanu-PF and the ANC enjoy a special and fraternal relationship. An ANC delegation attended the Zanu-PF’s 13th Annual National People’s Conference held recently in Gweru.
The leader of the delegation, ANC national executive member and justice and constitutional development minister Jeff Radebe delivered a solidarity message.
Labels: ANC, SIMON KHAYA MOYO
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Million new voters for Zanu-PF
Sunday, 02 December 2012 00:00
Sunday Mail Reporter
The Zanu-PF women's and youth leagues have registered more than 700 000 new members since the beginning of the year, drawing closer to their combined target of securing 2 million voters for the2013 harmonised elections. This comes as all is set for the 13th Zanu-PF Annual National People's Conference, which begins in Gweru this Tuesday.
Party women's affairs secretary Cde Oppah Muchinguri told The Sunday Mail last week that the Women's League secured a staggering 700 000 new members through a massive recruitment drive implemented over the past 11 months.
Figures for the new youth members were not readily available yesterday, but it is understood the Youth League is targeting one million young voters for the polls.
Cde Muchinguri said women were the backbone of the party and would help it win national elections.
"We now have at least 700 000 registered members of the Women's League; we are expecting to reach our target of 1 million members before next year's mother of all elections, which we are going to win resoundingly," she said.
"We are the backbone of the party. With 700 000 votes in the bag, we will never go wrong, come election time!"
Cde Muchinguri said the league was working hard to regain the ground Zanu-PF lost in the run-up to the 2008 harmonised elections. She implored fellow party members to desist from fanning divisions, saying factionalism would inhibit the party's chances of winning polls.
"As we approach elections, it is important for all members of the party to shun factionalism. It is a cancer that can destroy our party," she said.
"For those who have got an appetite for factionalism, please continue your factionalism after we have won elections next year. We are also saying our members should not abuse the party regalia. If you want to be violent or corrupt, do not use the party's name to pursue your selfish and destructive agenda."
She said plans are afoot to rebrand the wing. A new membership card will be unveiled soon, she added.
"We are moving with the times. Soon, we are going to have a new look. The way we are going to call for meetings and our regalia will be modern. We have also opened community banks in Mutoko, Mutasa and Gokwe, among other places. We are encouraging women to save money from their projects, among them bee-keeping and poultry."
Zanu-PF Youth League deputy secretary-general Cde Varaidzo Mupunga yesterday said her constituency is targeting 1 million new members before the elections. She said the conference provides a platform to map critical strategies for the party and country.
"We have set a target of one million new members for the Youth League. Although we are still consolidating the figures, it is clear that we have made significant headway."
Zanu-PF National Chairman Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo yesterday said the conference this week is crucial as it will set the tone for the 2013 elections. He said preparations for the event were progressing smoothly.
The conference agenda will focus on President Mugabe's keynote address while sector committee reports will deal with the performance of key areas such as the economy, social services as well as politics and mobilisation.
"It is certainly the last annual conference before elections. The preparations for the conference have gone extremely well. I chair the conference co-ordination committee which has met on several occasions to receive reports from various sub-committees. The Midlands provincial leadership has done sterling work and my committee's assessment, after visiting the conference venue twice, is that it is all systems go! Everyone has worked flat out to ensure that all roads lead to Gweru for the conference."
Cde Khaya Moyo said the theme of the event, "Indigenise, Empower, Develop and Create Employment", signifies Zanu-PF's people-centeredness.
"Zanu-PF is the only party in this country with policies and programmes that are people-centered. The conference theme testifies to that effect."
He said the need for unity within the party will also be tackled.
"Our party constitution has no provision for factionalism. Anyone who associates himself/herself with a faction must be aware that such conduct is a cardinal violation of the constitution and if proven, can lead to expulsion from the party. We have one President, Cde R.G Mugabe, with his Presidium and the Central Committee, all elected at Congress every 5 years. The President appoints the Politburo from Central Committee members."
Labels: 2013 ELECTIONS (ZW), SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF
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COMMENT - Because of the 'inclusive government', pro-MDC articles have appeared in The Herald, and
not to it's benefit.
EU aid cut threat over Save take-over
28/08/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
ZANU PF on Monday moved to rein-in 25 of its members who planned to parcel out the 3,400 square-kilometer Save Conservancy among themselves, amid threats of aid withdrawal by the European Union. The planned seizure of the massive, prized wildlife reserve in the south-east Lowveld of Zimbabwe could spark a targeted withdrawal of Western aid, diplomats warned.
On Monday, Zanu PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo met Environment Minister Francis Nhema and Save Valley Conservancy chairman Basil Nyabadza in a bid to defuse growing tensions.
The Zanu PF-leaning state-run Herald newspaper signaled that there was no appetite among senior figures in the party for the implementation of the “wildlife-based land reform policy”.
The newspaper quoted an unnamed senior government official saying the “indigenisation” of nature reserves was “not government policy” – a rebuke to the 25 senior Zanu PF figures including Higher Education Minister Stan Mudenge, Masvingo governor Titus Maluleke and former lawmaker, Shuvai Mahofa.
The official told the Herald: “You cannot take individuals and argue that this is empowerment.”
Khaya Moyo said he had made a “lot of progress” in his meeting with Nyabadza and Nhema, who has crossed swords with his Tourism counterpart, Walter Mzembi, over his advocacy for the enforcement of equity laws even in wildlife sanctuaries.
The Zanu PF chairman is expected to make recommendations to the party’s politburo which meets on Wednesday. He is expected to warn that a take-over of the Save Conservancy could threaten Zimbabwe’s hosting of the United Nations' World Tourism Organisation congress next year and undermine the tourism sector.
Germany’s Deutsche Presse-Agentur news agency quoted a European Union diplomat saying there was serious concern over the threatened take-over of the Save Conservancy.
"We are considering appropriate reactions. It's a very serious situation,” the diplomat said.
One measure could be the withdrawal of support for a world tourism congress next year, being hosted jointly by Zimbabwe and Zambia at Victoria Falls.
"Zimbabwe depends entirely on international support for the congress," the diplomat added. "It cannot go ahead without us."
The idea will be discussed in Berlin this week, during a meeting of German officials, the diplomats said.
Running along the banks of the Save River, the conservancy – respected as a leader in wildlife management and research – is collectively controlled by international investors, white ranchers who formerly ran cattle on the land, local black businessmen and hundreds of rural farmers.
"It is a working example of how something really special can be a success, by including all sectors of the community, especially the rural poor who have previously got nothing out of wildlife," said Wilfried Pabst, a German businessman who is vice-chair of the conservancy.
Pabst rejected accusations by the government that the reserve is opposed to ensuring a fair deal for blacks.
"Two-thirds of stakeholders of the conservancy are black. It is now being threatened by a collection of greedy individuals who are bringing nothing into the conservancy and will destroy it," Pabst said.
The Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, under Nhema’s ministry, announced August 9 it was granting 25 top officials from Zanu PF control over most of the Save (pronounced Sa-Veh) reserve, which covers 3,400 square kilometres in the country's arid south-east – 150km south of Mutare.
But the Save Valley Conservancy took out newspaper adverts on Sunday with a strongly-worded statement claiming thousands of people's livelihoods are threatened by the issuance of hunting permits and land leases to members of President Robert Mugabe’s party.
"When humans behave like animals, we destroy not only each other but generations to come," the group said.
The advertisements said politicians "want to destroy agreements and policies that have made Save the world leader in conservation management".
Save is a habitat for elephant, zebra, giraffe, as well as the nation's second largest surviving population of endangered black rhinoceros. The area also supports an array of African antelope and most species of birds and small animals.
"We as humans can help stop using colour as a racial tool to destroy the very people who are working for our common good," said the advertisements, under the heading: ‘Animals don't see in colour’.
The land reform programme championed by Mugabe was meant to rectify colonial-era imbalances which heavily favoured the white minority. However, critics say prime land has been seized by the politically-connected elites from Zanu PF.
Labels: EU, SANCTIONS, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, WILDLIFE
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Zanu-PF hails relations with BDP
Sunday, 04 March 2012 00:00
Sunday Mail Reporter
Zanu-PF national chairman Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo has hailed the strong relations between his party and the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), saying Zimbabwe is indebted to the latter for the role it played during the country’s liberation struggle.
Ambassador Khaya Moyo made the remarks at the BDP’s 50th anniversary celebrations, which he attended in Gaborone last week. He said Zanu-PF would remain grateful to its Botswana counterparts for the sacrifices they made in helping Zimbabwe attain its independence.
“It was the sacrifices of the gallant sons and daughters of the Republic of Botswana under the leadership of the BDP who contributed so immensely to the liberation of Zimbabwe,” he said.
“Thousands of people transited your great country under the Batswana protection to go for military and educational training in various countries. We shall forever remain indebted to BDP and its leadership.”
He said Botswana continued to support Zimbabwe, especially in calling for the scrapping of the economic sanctions against the country.
“Botswana, as a member of Sadc, continues to play a pivotal role to support Zimbabwe in all forms, including the current inclusive Government.
“We are looking forward to the early conclusion of the draft constitution leading to a referendum and harmonised elections.
“We know that the BDP and its leadership will always stand by us as you have been steadfast in calling for the removal of illegal sanctions imposed on us by the West because of our land reform programme.”
Ambassador Khaya Moyo urged Sadc members to work together to come up with solutions to common challenges.
“The region is confronted with multiple challenges such as the scourge of HIV and Aids, poverty, hunger and unemployment, to mention but a few.
“We must find solutions to ensure regional security, peace and stability.
“. . . Our quest for freedom should be guided by African principles and values. It is of paramount importance that, as Africans, we guard jealously our right and space to define our own leaders and government without outside interference.”
Several regional leaders, among them South Africa’s Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete also attended the celebrations.
Labels: BOTSWANA, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF
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Zambia’s Sata says no to Zanu PF
03/12/2011 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
ZAMBIA President, Michael Sata will not attend Zanu PF’s national conference starting in Bulawayo on Wednesday, it has emerged. Sata, elected Zambia President in September, was expected to be the high profile guest at the conference which will, among other things, endorse President Robert Mugabe as Zanu PF’s candidate for polls due early next year.
However, Sata confirmed he would not attend the conference during a meeting held Saturday with Mugabe on the Zambia side of the Victoria Falls resort. Foreign Affairs Minister, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said Sata would now be represented at the ‘highest level’.
“It was basically a bilateral exchange of views which also happened to be the two leaders’ first meeting since Sata took over as President,” Mumbengegwi said of Saturday’s meeting.
“It was a very good meeting where the leaders discussed a number of issues of mutual interest but I cannot go into detail.”
Meanwhile, Zanu PF national commissar and information Minister, Webster Shamu said the four-day event would confirm Mugabe as the party’s candidate for next year’s elections.
“We are going to reaffirm the position of our last congress in Mutare where President Mugabe was confirmed as the party’s sole candidate in any election between the last congress and the next,” Shamu said.
“The provinces have since affirmed that position at their respective inter-district meetings and we intend to focus our debate on other pressing matters such as indigenisation.”
Party chairman, Simon Khaya Moyo said the conference would also launch preparations for the elections demanded by Mugabe to replace the coalition government.
“We will chart methods on how to move fast in mobilising everyone with particular focus on young and female voters. This is a very key constituency that should be given the utmost priority,” Moyo said.
“We are not only interested in their vote, but also to have them play a significant part in the country’s economy through our programmes such as the Land Reform Exercise and indigenisation.”
Some 6000 delegates are expected to attend the conference, party officials said.
Labels: MICHAEL SATA, SIMBARASHE MUMBENGEGWI, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF
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Harare Province endorses President Mugabe
Saturday, 26 November 2011 23:49
Sunday Mail Reporter
Zanu-PF Harare Province has unanimously endorsed President Mugabe as the party’s candidate for elections scheduled for next year, bringing to six the number of provinces to officially throw their weight behind him ahead of the National Conference in Bulawayo.
Masvingo, Matabeleland North, Midlands, Matabeleland South and Bulawayo took the same route at their respective conferences held over the past few weeks. In an interview after a conference in the capital yesterday, Zanu-PF provincial chairman Cde Amos Midzi said the endorsement reaffirmed what was already a foregone conclusion.
“The delegates took into account the correct position of selecting the best candidate to represent the revolutionary party come election time,” he said.
“It was, however, mere reaffirmation and reconfirmation of a position that is already known.
“The delegates were all unanimous in their choice of the candidate, as they chose a candidate who could represent the party with distinction next year.”
He said the conference castigated homosexuality and those who recognise it.
“We also adopted a position that those who have already benefited from the indigenisation programme should give way to others in order to spread the benefits and opportunities,” he said.
In a speech read on his behalf, Zanu-PF national chairman Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo said all the party structures should not impose candidates. He also called on party supporters to shun violence, saying Zanu-PF was peace-loving.
“There should be no imposition of candidates whatsoever, from cell, branch, district and province or for parliamentary elections.
“We must listen to and implement their wishes. I want to make it clear that according Article 12 Sections 89-113, the provincial chairman and his executive run the province.
“Politburo members, Central Committee members, NCA members do not run provinces. Their functions are clearly spelt out under Article 9 of the (Zanu-PF) constitution.
“These senior leaders of the party are expected to offer advice and assist the provincial executive to run the affairs of the province smoothly.”
Labels: HARARE, ROBERT MUGABE, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF
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EU divided over illegal Zim sanctions
Posted by By Our reporter at 20 September, at 22 : 42 PM
SWEDEN has revealed that the European Union is divided on the issue of illegal and ruinous sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the regional western bloc. Not all members of the European Union are happy with the illegal sanctions and
only a few western nations are against the land reform programme that gave back land to majority Zimbabweans, according to the Swedish ambassador to Zimbabwe, Anders Liden (pictured, centre).
The revelation was made during a meeting with Zanu-PF National Chairman, Simon Khaya Moyo in Harare. Speaking during the meeting on the impact of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe,
Ambassador Khaya-Moyo noted that Sweden has no bi-lateral grudge with Zimbabwe, but by virtue of being a member of the EU it has a case to answer on devastating effects of the illegal embargo on the country.
The Swedish ambassador was however apologetic and said not all EU members are happy with the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.
“Sweden was never in favour of unequal land redistribution. We think you are right to do something about the land issue, to solve it,” said Liden.
The two parties agreed on the need for the two countries to mend relations with Ambassador Moyo saying although Zimbabwe as a sovereign nation had to look east to liberate itself economically, the doors are still wide open for the West as long as they do not interfere in the internal affairs of the country.
“We want to appeal to our colleagues in the EU and the US that they must not interfere with our internal affairs as a country.
“We don’t see why we cannot turn a new page and work together in harmony,” Ambassador Moyo said.
The past few months have seen a sudden turn of diplomatic relations as the Americans and other western allies are seeking to re-engage with Zanu-PF and government in socio-economic and political spheres.
Labels: EU, LAND REFORM, SANCTIONS, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZDERA
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Illegal sanctions delay new constitution
Posted by By Our reporter at 13 September, at 16 : 07 PM
THE constitution-making process is being derailed by the existence of the unjustified sanctions imposed on the country by Britain and the European Union, a senior Zanu-PF official has said.
Zanu-PF national chairman Senator Simon Khaya Moyo told the European External Action Services (EEAS) managing director for Africa, Nicholas Westcott when he paid a courtesy call that the unjustified sanctions imposed on the country were stalling progress and completion of the supreme law of the country.
He said his party wanted the constitution-making process to be done with a speedy pace so that the country holds elections which are long overdue.
“Sanctions are stalling progress in the constitution making process,” said senator Moyo.
“We feel that the treasury’s failure to avail funds on time was a deliberate move to stall the process as they (MDC-T), I want to believe, don’t want to leave the offices as are enjoying the niceties of government.”
He said that if it wasn’t the well-wishers who came to the rescue, the writing of the new constitution would be at a standstill.
Senator Moyo said the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) came to the rescue as it provided money for the completion of the writing of the constitution.
“If it wasn’t the well wishers who came to rescue, this process of writing the new constitution could be at a standstill, thanks to the UNDP who came to rescue.
“I am told that the committee (Copac) is now on work and they must proceed to the drafting stage.”
He made it clear that the inclusive Government had expired and was not meant to live forever.
“The inclusive Government was not supposed to last forever, we are now living on borrowed time,” he told the envoy.
He said the formation of the GNU was supposed to see the unjustified embargo going for good.
Senator Moyo said it was not supposed to be a benchmark that the sanctions will go after the constitution making process as it was also an issue to be addressed by the inclusive Government which also state that the sanctions must be removed unconditionally.
“The completion of the constitution making process must not be a precondition to the removal of sanctions.
“The issue of sanctions is an independent issue which, according to the GPA must be removed before the expiration of the GNU,” he made it clear.
He told Westcott that it was absurd that the people who preach democracy were the ones who wanted regime change in Zimbabwe.
The national chairman said he was going to make sure the coming elections were going to be free and fair and that peace prevailed.
He said it was regrettable that the recent violence that marred the MDC-T’s 12th anniversary at Gwanzura stadium was perpetrated in front of some invited people including the diplomats.
“Gwanzura incident was unfounded,” he said.
“Its unAfrican, its not our culture, we condone that, he said.
In his remarks, Westcott said he was very pleased when the country decided to have a GNU in place.
He, however, said that the EU wanted to see the GPA being implemented and see a fully adopted government in place so as to increase its support to the country.
“We are committed to giving assistance to Zimbabweans but we want the country to have an elected government in place,” he said.
Meanwhile, senator Moyo promised the EU envoy that all perpetrators of violence will be brought to book.
Labels: SANCTIONS, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZDERA
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West, MDC-T stalling constitution making process — Khaya Moyo
Saturday, 23 July 2011 02:00
Herald Reporter
WESTERN countries that imposed illegal economic sanctions on Zimbabwe are working
with the MDC-T to stall the constitution making process, Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo has said. Smelling defeat, Cde Khaya Moyo said, the MDC-T and the Western countries wanted to delay general elections in the country by influencing financiers not to release money.
He made the remarks after meeting Palestinian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Hashim Dajani at the Zanu-PF headquarters in Harare yesterday. Said Cde Khaya Moyo: "The Minister of Finance Tendai Biti is also following his masters' dirty tricks by refusing to release funds for the constitution making process.
"The constitution making process came out with the views from the people, which are in line with Zanu-PF's position and now the MDC-T is afraid of going for elections this year fearing defeat. The MDC-T is therefore coming up with all sorts of delaying tactics to avoid elections."
He reiterated that Zanu-PF would stand by the resolutions made at last year's conference in Mutare that elections should be held this year.
He urged all Sadc countries to be united as the Western "dirty tricks" were not targeted at Zimbabwe alone but the whole southern region.
"Like they are doing to Zimbabwe, the United States of America is not the honest broker it proclaims itself to be. It supports illegal Israeli policies financially, militarily and diplomatically and all rhetoric to the contrary aside, it has long rejected the Palestinians' right to self-determination," he said.
He castigated Britian's move to allocate three million pounds to the private media through the Department for International Development aimed at attacking Zanu-PF and President Mugabe.
He pledged that Zimbabwe would continue supporting Palestine in its bid to become a Palestinian state when the United Nations General Assembly meets in September.
"The US wants to respond by cutting or eliminating aid that the Palestine authority has come to depend on to function. The Palestinians must not bow down to such threats and the Palestinian people must take their case to the UN, if their legitimate political aspirations are ever to be achieved.
"The US and Israel have sought to entice the Palestinian leadership to back away from their 1988 declaration of independence and to prevent the establishment of a viable, independent and fully sovereign state in Palestine," he said.
He urged Ambassador Hashim to have meetings with leaders of former liberation movements in the Sadc region and exchange notes to gain their advice and support.
Cde Khaya Moyo said Ambassador Hashim had expressed gratitude to the support they received from Zanu-PF adding that his country would not allow foreign countries like the US to dictate to them how to run their country.
Labels: CONSTITUTION, MDC, NEOCOLONIALISM, SIMON KHAYA MOYO
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Zaka urged to rally behind Zanu-PF
Sunday, 05 June 2011 22:49
Zanu-PF National Chairman Cde Simon Khaya-Moyo has urged people in Zaka district to rally behind the only revolutionary party that has the people at heart ahead of the upcoming elections.
Cde Khaya Moyo was speaking at a field day held in Zaka district over the weekend where he told Zanu-PF supporters that the party must reclaim the seats taken by the opposition. He said
Zanu-PF was the only party that stood against the British colonisation to liberate the black majority.
He said it was high time people realised that Zanu-PF is the only party with a traceable history and has attained tangible results in fighting for the empowerment of Zimbabweans and neo-colonialism.
"I urge everyone of you to look back at our history. If we revisit our history, we will not give away the country to the British and their opposition parties that have mushroomed this country.
"Zimbabweans must know that this country was won through the combined efforts of men and women of stamina and foresight, the likes of Josiah Tongogara, Edson Zvobgo, Jason Moyo and Herbert Chitepo to mention just a few.
"We must remember that Zimbabwe is a sovereign state which came about through the spilling of blood.
"It is against this background that we have to put this in mind when we select a candidate for the next election and see whether we are selecting a person who will carry forward the ideas of the revolution," he said.
He said the people must not betray the liberation war fighters by inviting the hand of the white men back into our affairs through entertaining Western-sponsored opposition parties.
Cde Khaya Moyo added that Zanu PF was the only party that has advocated for the total control of our resources through indigenisation and empowerment, a move that has created tension with the West who continuously want to control and manipulate Zimbabwe's resources for their own benefit.
Cde Khaya Moyo said the GPA has overstayed and has become a hindering block for the people's party to fully operate since the opposition parties they are working with do not defend or support the wills of the people but rather they put forward the agendas of our detractors.
"As we approach the elections, the GPA must be buried the same way we did to the Sadc Tribunal.
"There is no way we work properly whilst surrounded by sellouts who are working hand in glove with the people who want Zimbabwe to starve through the imposition of sanctions," he said.
He said Zimbabwe was a peaceful country with a lot of minerals and voting for the opposition parties was allowing the country's detractors to meddle in our affairs and to dictate to us what to do.
Cde Khaya Moyo also warned peo-ple against being manipulated and stirring divisions saying that the Unity Accord was an irreversible pact that has brought peace and stability in the country.
"Some want to create tension amongst us, disturbing the unity that was put in place by our founding fathers. They must know that the Unity Accord is a strong pact for the people of Zimbabwe that aims at promoting peace and unity," he said.
Cde Khaya Moyo bemoaned the status of schools in the area in particular Nemauku Primary School which is still facing a lot of challenges despite the disbursement of tdhe Constituency Development Fund.
He said the fact that nothing has been done by the Zaka Central legislator to help the school after being given US$50 000 for the development of the constituency was clear testimony that the MDC does not carry forward the wills of the people and was not progressive.
He however expressed gratitude to the teachers for their total expression that they are patriotic by continuing to soldier on despite harsh working conditions.
"President Mugabe is going to ensure that civil servants are catered for despite efforts by (Minister) Biti to keep on holding pockets," he said.
He added that people must desist from violence.
Meanwhile, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo launched the Zanu-PF Community based National Herd Rebuilding Intervention Programme in Bikita which seeks to restore the national herd and promote the improvement of
better cattle breeds which has declined over the years.
The villagers are to select 50 to 100 best cows, which will be inspected by the veterinary services for suitability to be artificially inseminated.
Cde Khaya Moyo said the programme is part of Zanu PF's concerted efforts to mobilise communities to embark on various developmental programmes.
"People must embrace increasing productivity in the breeding of cattle because there are so many benefits we derive from cattle rearing.
"Cattle are a means of income. Traditionally, owning a cow means you are very rich. Thus we seek to improve our communal herds so that we prioritize on quality on our herds," he said.
Due to the frequency of droughts, Zimbabwe's national herd has been greatly affected and the introduction of the programme is set to boost and revive the quality of cows, meat and draught power.
Labels: CATTLE, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF
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Zanu PF against new election roadmap
Friday, 20 May 2011 22:32
From Munyaradzi Huni in Windhoek, Namibia
ZANU-PF is "totally against the idea of a new election roadmap" and maintains that the GPA, which clearly states that elections should be held this year, remains the only roadmap, the party's chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo has said.
The party's position paper to the Extraordinary Summit being held here states that the three political parties to the GPA have failed to work together for the development of the country and elections should be held this year.
"As a party, we maintain that the GPA remains the only election road map.
"We are totally against the idea of a new election roadmap as it means re-negotiating the GPA instead of implementing it," said Cde Khaya Moyo.
He added: "It is a fact the three parties to the GPA have failed to work together as a team for the development of the country.
"They have failed, for example, to fight the illegal sanctions together, to support the agrarian reform together, and have failed to speak with one voice on the indigenisation and people's economic empowerment thrust led by Zanu-PF . . .
"The party will religiously adhere to the tenets of the GPA and ensure its full implementation.
"This is the reason why we are saying we need to go for elections this year and not next year as this is consistent with the provisions of the GPA.
"The GPA clearly stipulates that elections should be held two years after the formation of the inclusive government and this is the reason Zanu-PF is maintaining that elections should be held this year after the completion of the constitution-making process.
"The GPA envisaged the completion of the constitution-making process within 18 months after the GPA came into force.
"This has not been achieved because of MDC-T's strategy to delay the holding of elections by boycotting sessions of Copac on very flimsy excuses.
"In addition, the donor community and the Government through the Ministry of Finance which is under the control of the MDC-T have delayed releasing funds for the process."
He said Zanu-PF was disturbed that the MDC formations were not lobbying for the removal of sanctions which "they continue to call restrictive and targeted measures," adding that sanctions were affecting every Zimbabwean including even MDC supporters.
He said Zanu-PF abhors violence in whatever form and from whom so-ever.
Said Cde Khaya Moyo: "The only way forward is for the parties to the GPA to speedily conclude the constitution-making process and allow the people of Zimbabwe to proceed to a referendum and harmonised elections.
"The current delaying tactics employed by the MDC formations is a recipe for political and economic instability. Zimbabwe cannot afford such political gimmick.
"There is no cohesion in the inclusive Government and prolonging the constitution-making process can never be the solution."
l See full text of Zanu-PF's position paper on Page 5
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS (ZIMBABWE), GLOBAL POLITICAL AGREEMENT, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF
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Rebels on the loose!
Sunday, 03 April 2011 12:08 Top Stories
By Munyaradzi Huni
ABOUT 22 rebel MDC-T legislators had hatched a plan to “fix” their party’s leadership by voting for Zanu-PF candidate Cde Simon Khaya Moyo in the race for the Speaker of the House of Assembly,... but only eight of them went on to vote for Cde Khaya Moyo as evidenced by the number of ballot papers that had distinct markings that the rebel group had agreed to use during the voting process, we can exclusively reveal.
These startling revelations mean that factually, at least eight Zanu-PF legislators among the 96 that were present on voting day prevented Cde Khaya Moyo from an assured victory as he would have garnered 104 votes with MDC-T candidate Mr Lovemore Moyo getting 95 votes through the seven votes from the smaller MDC faction.
Zanu-PF votes would have reached 105 had the party’s MP for Gokwe North, Cde Cephas Sindi, not thrown his vote away by absenting himself from the election even though he had attended a parliamentary committee meeting at Parliament the day before the election.
Mathematically it means that while eight MDC-T legislators voted for Cde Khaya Moyo, 10 Zanu-PF MPs prevented their candidate from winning as eight voted for Mr Lovemore Moyo, while one spoiled his/her ballot paper and the other absconded.
The Sunday Mail has it on good and verifiable authority that the rebel MDC-T MPs had come up with about three or so particularly distinct vote-markings that they were to use during the voting exercise.
However, a day before the election, the MDC-T leadership got wind of the rebel group’s plan and the party summoned some of the MPs and threatened them with unspecified action if they voted for the Zanu-PF aspirant.
In a bid to cover up the disgruntlement of these rebel MPs and to intimidate others in the party, the MDC-T hurriedly called a Press conference where it announced that Professor Jonathan Moyo was spearheading a campaign to bribe some of its members so that they could vote for Cde Khaya Moyo.
As a result, out of the 22 rebel MPs, eight completely chickened out of the plan, another eight voted for Cde Khaya Moyo while six voted for Mr Lovemore Moyo but still using the distinct markings that the group had come up with.
The six voted using the distinct markings following instructions from the MDC-T leadership that they should use the markings but vote for Mr Lovemore Moyo as the party wanted to be sure that the six had complied with their instructions.
A few days after the election, one of the rebel MPs secretly contacted this writer and a meeting with three other MDC-T legislators, including the co-ordinator of the plan by these rebel legislators, was organised at a venue on the outskirts of Harare. The rebel MPs, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they had come up with the plan because the MDC-T leadership “demands loyalty and gives nothing for it”.
“We have heard the talk that it’s 15 of us. Actually we were 22 and we came up with this plan to vote for Simon Khaya Moyo and mark our ballot papers in a particular way as assurance that none of us would sell out.
“Things did not go according to plan as our bosses got wind of the plan a few hours before the voting process. This scuttled things for us but eight of us refused to be intimidated and voted for Simon Khaya Moyo.
“About six of the guys were threatened and they were told to vote for Lovemore Moyo using the markings we had come up with. The bosses wanted them to use the markings so that they would check during counting that indeed they had voted for our party’s candidate.
“So there were 14 ballot papers with the distinct markings — eight that went to Simon Khaya Moyo and six that went to Lovemore Moyo,” said one of the MPs, adding that the other eight claimed that they voted for the Zanu-PF candidate but it was “difficult to ascertain the truth as they did not follow the pattern we had agreed.”
When this writer asked how this can be confirmed, the co-ordinator chipped in saying: “If anyone does not believe what we are saying, they should go and open the ballot boxes and they will see what we are talking about.
“If our Chief Whip, Innocent Gonese, is honest enough, he will confess that indeed he saw ballot papers that were uniquely marked during the counting process. Just open the ballot papers. The evidence is there and it will speak for itself.”
Soon after the elections for the Speaker, Clerk of Parliament Mr Austin Zvoma also said that during the verification and counting of the votes the election agents of the two contestants noticed that some ballot papers were marked in a unique way.
However, MDC-T spokesperson Mr Nelson Chamisa yesterday dismissed the allegations, saying “our people are allergic to Zanu-PF and they will never vote for Zanu-PF”.
Back to the rebel group, when this writer asked whether the group had not been bribed by Zanu-PF to tarnish the image of the MDC-T, the co-ordinator reacted angrily, saying: “This talk that we were bought is pure rubbish.
“You see, many of our leaders at the top there have been bribed by Zanu-PF and they now own several houses and vehicles. That’s a bribe to me. Some of us we are the founding members of this party (MDC) and hatitengwi netuma US$5 000 that they are rumbling about.”
The other MP accused the MDC-T leadership of “going to bed with a corpse” in reference to the decision by the Professor Ncube-led MDC to vote for Mr Lovemore Moyo.
“We don’t want to work with Ncube and his club. Those guys are useless. Why should our party of excellence unite with something that died in 2005?
“We can’t unite with a corpse just because of some white guy called (David) Coltart who had threatened to resign from that party if Ncube had refused to unite with us on the Speakership.
“Those guys should stop talking about uniting with us.
“They should be talking about coming back to join us,” said the MP.
The rebel MPs said they had serious grievances with their party’s leadership, adding that what happened in the House of Assembly is “Part One” but “Part Two” will come during the forthcoming MDC-T congress.
“It is unfortunate that some Zanu-PF MPs chose to vote for Lovemore Moyo, but honestly we still believe he is not the right candidate for that post.
“There are fundamental issues that should be solved in our party and anyone expecting a walk in the park during the coming congress will be shocked.
“How can we have a leadership that only takes care of itself?
“They demand loyalty from us and we get nothing in return.
“Enough is enough,” fumed the other MP.
Already, there have been reports of violence around the country as MDC-T leaders jostle to position themselves for posts ahead of the party’s forthcoming congress.
These new revelations are set to sting MDC-T leaders who all along have been giving the impression that all is well ahead of their congress, while for Zanu-PF the time has come for serious soul-searching.
Labels: 2011 ELECTIONS (ZIMBABWE), MDC, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF
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Zanu-PF ready for elections: Khaya-Moyo
By: New Ziana
Posted: Monday, January 17, 2011 4:00 am
ZANU-PF National Chairman, Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo says the party expects the constitution drafting process to be completed soon and pave way for the referendum, so that people can go for elections, as provided for in the Global Political Agreement (GPA).
Ambassador Khaya Moyo said the GPA has clear provisions that there must be a new constitution before the country goes for elections, but it appears there is a deliberate ploy by some parties, which are now buying time in the constitution making process and developing cold feet as they are afraid of going for elections.
He highlighted that Zimbabweans have now realised the true colours of the MDC-T after Wikileaks cables revealed that the party supports the tightening of sanctions on the country, yet the same party purports to serve the interests of the people.
Ambassador Moyo added that Zanu-PF is ready for elections and will abide by the provisions of the GPA.
“We have not been sitting on our laurels, we have been working and we are ready for elections.
"We know that there are some parties that are now developing cold feet and would do anything to delay the constitution process, but they will not succeed.
"We want to make sure that the process is completed soon so that we go for the referendum, then elections as provided for in the GPA,” Moyo said.
The National Chairman revealed that the Zanu-PF Commissariat has been going round the country on a restructuring exercise from the cell level going upwards, which was meant to rejuvenate the party.
Ambassador Moyo said there was consensus at the party’s 11th National People’s Conference held in Mutare in December last year that the inclusive Government has run its course and that it is high time Zimbabwe is run by a solid government with clear principles.
"It is difficult to work with people who are pulling the other way when you are pulling the other way.
"The MDC call sanctions restrictive measures, what is restrictive when they are comprehensive, when they are hurting everyone?” asked Moyo.
Ambassador Khaya Moyo commended Sadc, the African Union (AU) and the progressive world for taking a position in calling for the unconditional lifting of sanctions on the country, as they are not only affecting a targeted few but are hurting the entire population.
Labels: GLOBAL POLITICAL AGREEMENT, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF
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Zanu-PF to emerge stronger: Khaya Moyo
By Sydney Kawadza
Zanu-PF will emerge from the 11th National People’s Conference stronger and ready to bury the Western regime change project, party national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo has said.
Cde Khaya Moyo castigated the MDC formations for their lack of ideology and siding with foreign interests to undermine Zimbabwe’s development. He was addressing the opening session of Zanu-PF’s 11th Annual People’s Conference at Marymount Teachers College yesterday morning.
Cde Khaya Moyo described the venue as significant because Manicaland sent many sons and daughters of the soil across the border into Mozambique to join the liberation struggle.
"The choice for Mutare, which is on the border with Mozambique, to host the conference is a powerful reminder of the main objective of our liberation struggle."
Cde Khaya Moyo said the outcome of the constitutional outreach programme showed that Zanu-PF was geared for elections.
"Zanu-PF is on an unstoppable roll and nothing can stop it. It is indeed an unstoppable machine. We have a mission to accomplish. I would like to urge this conference to build on that momentum as we go towards the next general election scheduled for next year.
"We want to bury, once and for all, this Western project called the MDC. We must bury forever this combined British and American non-governmental organisation. For that is what the MDC is."
Cde Khaya Moyo, however, warned that Zanu-PF should remain united to achieve this end. "We should stop the imposition of candidates. There should never be any imposition of candidates and people should be represented by the people who have voted for them. "However, the prospective candidates must also meet the minimum requirements to represent the party."
Cde Khaya Moyo urged the party leadership to remain accountable to the people they represent.
"We must always remember that Government is the product of the party. So the party must lead Government projects…"
In his welcome address Zanu-PF provincial chairman for Manicaland, Cde Mike Madiro, urged Zanu-PF to impose its own sanctions on the West.
"The West has imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe. We need to reciprocate to their sanctions and bar them from coming to Zimbabwe.
"We should also stop them from benefiting from any of our resources," he said. Cde Madiro said Manicaland had learnt from its bad showing in the 2008 elections and promised President Mugabe that next year the province would deliver a resounding victory.
Manicaland Governor and Resident Minister Chris Mushohwe said the province was prepared to take part and benefit from indigenisation and economic empowerment programmes.
He lamented the wanton destruction of forests that are the main industry in the province and called for Government to ensure Manicaland benefits fully from its diamond deposits.
Labels: SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF
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EU a gang of criminals: SK Moyo
Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:08:00 +0000
FREELANCE journalist Raymond Utsiwegota recently interviewed the Zanu-PF National Chairman Simon Khaya Moyo on several issues including succession, elections and sanctions. The whole interview is reproduced below.
Question: As the new National Chairman, what is your vision for the direction of Zanu-PF and Zimbabwe at large?
SK. Let me start by saying that Zanu-PF is a revolutionary party. It has a glorious history. To conceptualise my response, it must always be remembered that two former liberation movements, Zanu and Zapu, through their respective wings Zanla and Zipra, liberated this country against colonial oppression and the settler regime. The two parties spearheaded the final stages of the liberation armed struggle under the banner of the patriotic front, co-led by President Robert Mugabe and the late Dr Joshua Nkomo, Father Zimbabwe.
Under the Unity Accord of 22 December of 1987, the two parties merged as Zanu-PF with a clear motto of unity, peace and development. I subscribe fully to this vision of the party, which indeed must be embraced by all Zimbabweans. We are one people, with a common surname, Zimbabwe. The issues of tribe, religion, or race are God’s business, not a passport to fuller life.
Q: How do you intend to rejuvenate the party and attract the youths?
SK. A visionary party constantly rejuvenates itself, creating space to grow. The youths are the vanguard of the revolution. The party recognises that the youths have the necessary energy, zeal and stamina. They have got dynamism to propel the revolution and profusely defend our sovereignty. We want a rejuvenated party, the youths will engage in various visible programmes and projects which, not only benefit themselves, but Zimbabwe at large. They are the future leaders of this great country, key stakeholders to the country’s destiny. With education, discipline and high morals, the youths are our greatest investment. They are indeed our jewel in the crown.
Q: Factionalism is a cancer that is threatening the survival of the party. How do you intend to address the issue?
SK. Let me say, factionalism is indeed a cancer to any given organisation. However, it is not a threat to the survival of Zanu-PF, because it is by and large inconsequential. Differences in opinion don’t equate to factionalism. You may think otherwise over a particular subject, but that does not constitute factionalism. But, by the end of the day, there must be common ground for all of us, in order to move forward and achieve our objectives.
The party’s position is always to nip any form of factionalism in the bud where it rears its ugly head. Mechanisms are in place for the party to be accountable and deliver to the people, because to us the people are supreme. The voice of the people is the voice of God. Given that vision and position Zanu-PF has an unbreakable spine. It is no political ice cream.
Q: The succession issue has remained a talking point in the party. How best can the issue be addressed?
SK: Well, the so-called succession label is a non issue in Zanu-PF. Surprisingly, it is always spoken most by those outside the party, and one wonders the agenda these people have. We have mechanisms in the party and we follow the party constitution, from the cell, up to the presidium. Surely, if we follow those mechanisms, I don’t see why there should be cries about succession. You present yourself to the people and if you got capacity and qualities, surely people recognise you. But it cannot be free for all.
Q: But some are saying you are stifling the debate.
SK: We are not scuttling the debate; people are discussing everywhere at all levels. And when people say we don’t want our President to go, at branch level, at district level, at provincial level, at Central Committee level and Politburo and at Congress, what else do you want done? That’s democracy at its best. Nobody has scuttled debate on this matter at all, because the constitution is very clear. If you look at the party at the moment, there are new members of the Presidium including myself. Who scuttled me from getting there? (he laughs) It’s the people who decided, that’s how the party operates. Zanu-PF is preoccupied with national issues and not tissues.
Q: Can you comment on Zanu-PF’s relationship with other revolutionary parties in the region.
SK. Our relations with the ANC, Swapo, Frelimo, MPLA, Unip and Chama Cha Mapinduzi are cordial; they are excellent and deep-rooted as ever. Our relationship is premised on a common liberation history, on Pan-African ideals and on a common destiny as liberators of our people. We frequently share notes and strategies. We meet quite often and no force from whatever angle can divide us. The blood we shared together will forever bind us to nurture the revolution in our respective countries
Q: Your party is accused of trying to impose the Kariba Draft on the people. Can you comment?
SK: The glaring issue here is that it is a contradiction. If the three major parties authored the Kariba Draft Constitution and initialled it by the way, agreeing on it, how does then Zanu-PF, impose the draft on the other two parties? To proffer such an accusation, is indeed to run with the hares and chasing the hounds. It’s chasing after the wind.
Q: Given that the Kariba Draft Constitution was authored by the three major parties, what do you think has changed considerably to warrant the differences that now exist amongst the parties on its use?
SK: Well, absolutely nothing has changed. The external factor continues to wreck havoc in our internal affairs. When you are dictated to and you are not permitted to think for yourself, you cannot remain in the same position. In other words, you have no principles at all. I must say it is a painful assignment to be a puppet. (he laughs) It’s just the external factor. You do this today and you are told don’t do this tomorrow. He who pays the piper calls the tune.
Q: The Zanu-PF Politburo reiterated the 2009 Congress resolution not to accede anymore concessions to MDC until they lobby for the removal of sanctions. Your comment on that?
SK: I must emphasise that the position of the Politburo was a response to a statement by a British Foreign Secretary Mr David Miliband in the House of Commons not so long ago, that the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Britain and its European Union allies could only be lifted if MDC-T so advises. So if MDC-T does not so act, what other concessions would one be giving? Instead, they are telling the British to keep them until they tell them to remove, so what are these talks all about at the end of the day?
To us, the only two outstanding matters vis-a-vis these talks are the removal of the illegal sanctions and the issue of pirate radio stations, which continue to beam hate messages into Zimbabwe. The issue of Bennett, Reserve Bank Governor Gideon) Gono and (Attorney General Johannes) Tomana are not part of the GPA. Let’s get the sanctions off, let's get these pirate radio stations stopped and then we know where we are going as an inclusive Government.
These illegal sanctions are not targeted at (President) Mugabe and his so-called cronies. They are comprehensive. They are affecting everybody, unless if you are saying every Zimbabwean is a crony of President Mugabe.
Q: Is such stance not an impediment to the full implementation of the GPA?
SK. It’s not an impediment at all as far as we concerned. Our sovereignty can never be compromised because of the externally imposed impediments. We have always stated that before, that as we were our own political liberators, so shall we be our own economic liberators. So no concessions on anything unless there is the removal of illegal sanctions and pirate radio stations.
Is it so difficult for the MDC-T to say can you remove the sanctions? MDC Mutambara has been very clear. It stated openly that the sanctions must go and they have taken a position which we appreciate very much. That’s being patriotic to your country.
Q: Why then is it that some Zanu-PF members continue to be interviewed on the pirate radio stations when you say they are illegal?
SK: They are not supposed to. Those who are doing so give the impression that we recognize them. Why give any interview to something we don’t recognise. They should not do that at all. I am not talking only about the leadership of Zanu-PF, but every member, they must not entertain them.
Q: The EU has issued a statement that Zanu-PF has not done enough to warrant the removal of sanctions.
SK: The EU is not a guarantor of the GPA. The only people who can say that are either the Sadc or the AU, not the EU. Their sanctions are illegal. If they were legal why didn’t they go to the UN. So I take them as a gang of criminals, who have no political ethics of any kind. They must just remove the sanctions.
Q: The Prime Minister and the MDC-T have criticised the recently gazetted Indigenisation Act. Can you please comment on this?
SK: The Indigenisation Act went through Parliament. It’s an Act of Parliament, passed in the August House by the representatives of Zimbabweans, who are the Members of Parliament. What the minister just did was to gazette what was passed by the House. If someone does not understand that, it means he has a long way to understand how government and the legislature operate.
If Parliament fulfils its mandate, which it did in passing that Bill and the President accented to it, one would really expect the Prime Minister to respect that process and not condemn it.
Q: Is the Act unique to Zimbabwe?
SK: Certainly not. You can not own land in Europe. Their laws do not allow that. But they want to own land here.
Q: Is your party ready for future elections?
SK: We are ever ready.
Q: Please comment on the recent clashes between Zanu-PF and MDC-T supporters in Epworth.
SK. We deplore any form of violence, be it by Zanu-PF or any other party. As you are aware, in the inclusive Government we have got an organ on National Healing. We have said that that organ must go flat out to cool tempers. We want peace. That is why our motto is unity. Without unity you cannot have peace and without peace you have no development and without development you cannot have prosperity.
Noone should be involved in any violence of any kind. It does not help anybody, and it does not help Zimbabwe. We need to show the world that we are a peace-loving nation.
Labels: EU, INTERVIEW, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF
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MDC-T must act on sanctions now: Zanu PF
Ralph Mutema
Sat, 23 Jan 2010 00:17:00 +0000
THE Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) must immediately ask the West to lift sanctions against Zimbabwe as they have taken part in the formulation of those sanctions in the first, Zanu PF national chairman Simon Khaya-Moyo has said in the wake of revelations by Britain that the lifting of sanctions is dependent on the MDC-T.
On Tuesday during a Question and Answer session in the House of Commons, British Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary David Miliband said that Britain was waiting for MDC-T to ask for the sanctions to be removed.
Miliband also revealed that some of the sanctions in place are controlled by PM Tsvangirai's MDC-T party.
MDC-T leaders have in recent months tried to wriggle out of the Global Political Agreement obligation of lobbying for an end to Western sanctions by claiming that they hold no sway over the European Union and the US position on the embargo.
Speaking in Harare yesterday, Khaya-Moyo said, "Britain has let the cat out of the bag on the issue of sanctions. They have admitted that the MDC called for the sanctions and it can only remove them on the request of the MDC.
"Thus Tsvangirai should go and ask for the removal of those sanctions. The declared and undeclared sanctions are affecting the country because we are not getting lines of credit and companies are being forced to close."
Newsnet quoted MDC-T spokesperson Nelson Chamisa as saying sanctions were "an outstanding GPA issue". The spokesman has previously denied that sanctions were an outstanding issue saying the MDC-T party did not have a hand in the sanctions formulation process.
A founding member of the MDC, Gabriel Chaibva said last year that the MDC was the brainchild of the so-called Zimbabwe Democracy Recovery Act (ZIDERA) legislation which imposes sanctions on Zimbabwe.
“I was there when Zidera was crafted in Nyanga by the MDC. At that point Munyaradzi Gwisai stood up in protest and told everyone present that the MDC had been taken over by the U.S. and Europe and business was no longer controlled from Harvest House…,” said Chaibva in September last year.
The MDC-T secretary for international relations Professor Eliphas Mukonoweshuro tried to dismiss Miliband’s statement saying it was just an "insinuation" and did not indicate that they had any influence over Britain or the EU’s decisions.
Miliband categorically stated that they were waiting for instructions from the MDC-T party regarding the removal of sanctions.
"In respect of sanctions, (that) is something that we will discuss. We have ... to be guided by what the MDC says to us about the conditions under which it is working and leading the country," Miliband told the House of Commons in response to a question posed by Henry Bellingham, the Conservative MP for North-West Norfolk.
Miliband also revealed that some sanctions are controlled by the MDC-T party of PM Tsvangirai, but he was not in a position to inform the House which ones were controlled by that party.
"A range of EU sanctions is in place. Different sanctions have been brought in at different points, and different sanctions are the responsibility of different ministries in the Zimbabwean system.
"Some are controlled by the MDC. I would be happy to give ... a more detailed answer, but I think that it might detain the House beyond the time available for the question."
In the GPA the MDC-T party agreed to call for the lifting of the illegal sanctions and campaign for the closure of pirate radio stations illegally beaming into Zimbabwe.
MDC-T party ministers still offer interviews to these pirate stations despite having agreed to campaign for their closure or licensing.
Labels: DAVID MILIBRAND, MDC, SANCTIONS, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF, ZDERA
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SA diplomatic post to Zanu PF
The Herald
Sat, 23 Jan 2010 03:00:00 +0000
THE diplomatic post that is likely to be left vacant following the elevation of Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa Simon Khaya-Moyo to the Zanu-PF chairmanship will go to someone from within the party.
Speaking at the Zanu PF Youth League induction workshop in Harare yesterday, Khaya-Moyo said the South African diplomatic posting was not a Global Political Agreement issue warranting any negotiations. MDC-T has said it wants to have someone from its party posted to Pretoria.
However, Khaya-Moyo said: "This is a transitional government but we do not have transitional diplomatic posts.
"All the noise about the South African ambassadorial position is useless because ambassadors are appointed by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces.
"The diplomatic posts that were allocated to the MDC formations were enough as they were prescribed in the GPA."
The two MDC formations were already allocated five ambassadorial postings.
Also addressing the same workshop, Vice President John Nkomo said the youth should unite to shame Zimbabwe’s detractors.
"Efforts are there to divide us for regime change purposes but let’s remain united. If you boys and girls sleep out there our heritage will go." - The Herald
Labels: AMBASSADOR, SIMON KHAYA MOYO, ZANU-PF
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