Seven political parties appeal for govt funding

Seven political parties outside the inclusive government have presented a petition to Vice President Joice Mujuru for President Robert Mugabe demanding to get funding under the Political Parties Financing Act.

The parties' leaders, led by Zimbabwe Development Party (ZDP) President, Kisnot Mukwazhe met with the Vice President Mujuru in Harare and presented their petition for transmission to President Mugabe.

Mr Mukwazhe said although they do not qualify for funding under the Political Parties Financing Act, they are appealing to the highest office for support as the new constitution provides for such.

Vice President Mujuru said she will forward the petition to President Mugabe for his consideration.

"I will forward the petition to President Mugabe and I'm sure it is his prerogative to respond to you in terms of your concerns, otherwise let me say thank you very much for seeing the importance of us to observe the laws of the land," said Cde Mujuru.

The country is still guided by the Political Parties Financing Act, which stipulates that for a political party to qualify for government funding, it should have participated in elections and should achieve at least 5 percent parliamentary representation, among other requirements.

At present, only the parties in the inclusive government qualify to receive the funding from the fiscus.

The seven parties that signed the petition are the ZDP, Zimbabwe Organised Open Political Party, Multi-Racial Christian Democracy, African National Party, Good Peoples Movement and the Rebuild Party of Zimbabwe.