News / National
'No losers in the next government,' says Mugabe
06 Jun 2013 at 18:35hrs | Views
President Robert Mugabe says unelected officials have no business in the next government as the cabinet will only be made up of ministers who win seats.
In an interview with the ZBC News recently during his visit to Japan where he attended the 5th Tokyo International Conference on African Development, President Mugabe said in the next government those who would have been rejected in their constituencies will not be appointed ministers.
He said in the event that a coalition government is formed, it will only be made up of people who have constituencies not the current scenario where some lost in the 2008 harmonised elections.
"We were able to set up a Global Political Agreement (GPA) with some who had won the elections and others who had lost. Both professors for example Welshman Ncube and Aurthur Mutambara had lost. They had been beaten but they came in as honourable ministers who had been dishonoured by the people. It won't happen again," said Mugabe.
Experts say some ministers who are in parliament courtesy of their appointment as non-constituency members by principals in the GPA will fall by the wayside judging by their performances in previous elections.
In terms of the constitution, a minister should have a seat or should be a non-constituency senator.
The president has powers to appoint only five non-constituency members in the senate.
On the funding of the next elections, Mugabe said although SADC has pledged to mobilise funds for Zimbabwe's elections, the government will not solely depend on the regional bloc's promises.
He appreciated SADC's promise but said the country will mobilise its own resources in case the regional block fails to get the funding.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Arthur Mutambara feels that funds for elections should come from local stakeholders.
Professor Mutambara reminded other political leaders to stop depending on SADC or the African Union but to respect the concept of constitutionalism that calls for people to determine their own destiny through the ballot.
Political analyst, Professor Jonathan Moyo advised that promises by SADC should be taken with caution as the regional block is reportedly facing financial challenges.
The country is expected to go for elections before the 31st of July following the ruling by the Constitutional Court ordering President Mugabe to proclaim the date for elections.
In an interview with the ZBC News recently during his visit to Japan where he attended the 5th Tokyo International Conference on African Development, President Mugabe said in the next government those who would have been rejected in their constituencies will not be appointed ministers.
He said in the event that a coalition government is formed, it will only be made up of people who have constituencies not the current scenario where some lost in the 2008 harmonised elections.
"We were able to set up a Global Political Agreement (GPA) with some who had won the elections and others who had lost. Both professors for example Welshman Ncube and Aurthur Mutambara had lost. They had been beaten but they came in as honourable ministers who had been dishonoured by the people. It won't happen again," said Mugabe.
Experts say some ministers who are in parliament courtesy of their appointment as non-constituency members by principals in the GPA will fall by the wayside judging by their performances in previous elections.
In terms of the constitution, a minister should have a seat or should be a non-constituency senator.
On the funding of the next elections, Mugabe said although SADC has pledged to mobilise funds for Zimbabwe's elections, the government will not solely depend on the regional bloc's promises.
He appreciated SADC's promise but said the country will mobilise its own resources in case the regional block fails to get the funding.
The Deputy Prime Minister, Professor Arthur Mutambara feels that funds for elections should come from local stakeholders.
Professor Mutambara reminded other political leaders to stop depending on SADC or the African Union but to respect the concept of constitutionalism that calls for people to determine their own destiny through the ballot.
Political analyst, Professor Jonathan Moyo advised that promises by SADC should be taken with caution as the regional block is reportedly facing financial challenges.
The country is expected to go for elections before the 31st of July following the ruling by the Constitutional Court ordering President Mugabe to proclaim the date for elections.
Source - zbc
