Zimbabwe coalition failing to hold up say MDC-T

HARARE - Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC-T has all but confirmed that the coalition government is failing to hold up, with the party's national council adopting resolutions that tear into current government policies.

Among the key issues which the MDC national council took a hard stance on is the controversial indigenisation and empowerment programme.

"The party is aware of Zanu-PF machinations of asset stripping, looting, patronage, clientelism, corruption and self-aggrandisement euphemistically referred to as indigenisation and empowerment," the party said in a statement issued after the meeting.

The national council is the MDC's most powerful decision-making body outside congress.

MDC-T said it was disgusted by Youth and Empowerment minister Saviour Kasukuwere's proclamation earlier this month that with immediate effect, 51 percent of shareholding in all foreign mining companies now belonged to the state.

"Furthermore, the MDC restates that Kasukuwere's proclamation is null and void and in total breach of the Constitution and that Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans need jobs, investment and upliftment," the party stated.

The MDC said it will not be party to elections held before democratic reforms are completed and a roadmap to a free, fair, credible and legitimate elections endorsed by Sadc is adhered to.

"Elections cannot and will not be called for unilaterally by one person or one party and that the election in Zimbabwe will not be date driven but process driven."

Violence and selective application of the law, the party said, were still rife. "The party notes that in March alone over 63 people were arrested, assaulted or severely harassed by Zanu-PF, its infamy Chipangano hoodlums and its complicity criminal justice system."

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