'Mugabe is headmaster of despots'

People's Democratic Party (PDP) leader Tendai Biti has said Mugabe is 'headmaster of all despots' in Africa who has reversed all the 37years of Zimbabwe's gains since independence, to the year of the country's recession in 1992 whilst the rest of African economies are developing.

Biti said the 93year old Mugabe who has been clinging on to power for since independence, has made a name for himself among other Africa's despots in the 'wall of shame' being listed with the late Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo, the late Omar Bongo of Gabon, the late Zaire's (now DRC) Mobutu Sese Seko, Sudan's Al Bashir and Uganda's Yuoeri Museveni.

Adressing close to 3000 party supporters during celebrations organized by PDP to mark Africa Day at the Ampitheater in Bulawayo yesterday, Biti chastised the 93year old leader for running down the once vibrant Zimbabwe.



"In Zimbabwe we have a headmaster of all despots in Africa, a vice chancellor and a bishop of all despots. He is called Robert Mugabe.

"37 years after independence, the country is in shambles with 90percent of our people being jobless and knowing no pay-slip. If there was a marova (jobless people's political) party I am sure they would win any election resoundingly because they will be the biggest party.

 "37years after independence we still have 80percent of our people living in rented accommodation, only 20percent of our people have electricity. It is also shocking to know that 60percent of our people are still using blair pit toilets even urban areas," he said.

Biti said his party which has assembled some of Zimbabwe's best brains, has the solution to the current economic melt-down which the 'clueless' Zanu-Pf has failed to resolve.

 

"As PDP we say another Zimbabwe is Possible. We are happy because PDP has managed to attract competent people who can lead Zimbabwe to recovery. We have economists like Dr Nkosana Moyo, business people like Sonny Phiri and Clayton Jones amongst in our party. We have doctors, trade unionists, pastors and powerful individuals that make up our team.

"We need Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in this country but it does not come when there is a wrong team. It (FDI) comes when there in honesty and transparency and not in the current Zanu-Pf set-up, PDP is that team," he said.



Touted as the best finance minister that Zimbabwe has ever had since independence after serving under the Government of National Unity in 2009 to 2013, Biti emerges as the most 'capable' presidential candidate amongst other opposition leaders under the Coalition for Democrats (CODE) arrangement that seek the unification of Zimbabwe's opposition parties seeking to overthrow Mugabe's  rule come 2018 elections.

Speaking at the same occasion, Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa, who had come in support of the PDP, said all the reasons that led them to leave the country to be trained freedom fighters has been eroded by Mugabe who has turned Zimbabwe into a laughing stock in Africa, adding that CODE has been long overdue pinning hopes that it is the only arrangement that can unseat Mugabe.

Among a panel of guests at the front seat were PDP's deputy president Kucaca Phulu, secretary general Gorden Moyo, national chairperson Lucia Mativenga, Dr Nkosana Moyo, Sonny Phiri escorted by his wife and former Miss Zimbabwe Lorraine Maphala.