Gvt to seek funds for referendum, polls from the private sector

The Government has resolved to seek funding for the impending constitutional referendum and harmonised elections from the private sector to ensure the two plebiscites retain a Zimbabwean orientation.

A three-member Cabinet committee - chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara - has already been set up to spearhead the fund-raising initiative.

This effectively means funds that will be raised through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will only supplement the private sector-supported purse.

Presidential spokesman George Charamba told The Sunday Mail last week that the inclusive Government principals took the decision after lengthy deliberations.

He said Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa and his finance counterpart Tendai Biti complete the Cabinet committee.

"The three principals discussed this idea at length and agreed that we should look at mobilising funds locally," said Charamba.

"Deputy Prime Minister Mutambara is chairing the committee. In principle, they have started work."

Contacted for comment, Professor Mutambara said his panel intends to raise US$250 million, the same amount that Government requested from the UNDP.

He said Zimbabwe could not solely depend on the United Nations agency, adding that the committee seeks to source the whole amount locally.

"I have been appointed chairman of that committee. The idea behind it is that we cannot be dependent on the UNDP alone. We have to work among our own people because we are a sovereign nation. We must be responsible for our own destiny; that is why the plan is to raise the full figure of US$250 million.

"In the interest of the country, it is best that we raise our own money and whatever we get from foreigners will augment the principal funds that we will raise."

Prof Mutambara said the committee began work last Tuesday and will hold regular meetings.

"We started our work on Tuesday. From now onwards, we will meet regularly to work on our framework to see how best we can execute our mandate. We are now calling on all stakeholders, including the civic society, to understand and embrace our work."

Zimbabwe is due to hold a constitutional referendum on March 16 after the Draft Constitution which the Parliamentary Select Committee (Copac) produced was adopted by both Senate and the House of Assembly.

Harmonised elections are expected to come after the referendum. About two weeks ago, Ministers Chinamasa and Biti requested the UNDP to provide funds for the polls in line with a Cabinet decision. The UN agency agreed and will now act as the basket through which donors will provide the required financial support. Concerns were, however, raised that foreign funding could compromise the independence of the entire electoral process.  On Friday, Zanu-PF information and publicity secretary Rugare Gumbo said his party was against conditional financial support.

"As Zanu-PF, our position is that if you are providing money for elections, it should not be for conditions, but for elections," he said.

MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora said securing the funds locally was a measure of "how things ought to be done".

"We welcome this decision to look for resources locally so that we complement the UNDP.  This is how it ought to be because Zimbabweans must invest in their future. We hope Zimbabwean companies will rise to the occasion and boost this fund."