Elections will be held this year: ZANU

Zanu-PF has dismissed statements by MDC-T leader, Tsvangirai and Minister of Justice and Legal Affairs, Patrick Chinamasa, that elections have been postponed to next year as personal opinions, saying the revolutionary party still stands by the Mutare People's Conference resolution that elections will be held this year.

Zanu-PF Secretary for Information and Publicity, Rugare Gumbo, says the two have no right to express their personal opinions as fact or make decisions on such issues as the powers to do so are only vested in the Head of State and government and commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Robert Mugabe.
 
"The party's conference made a clear resolution, endorsed by the Politburo and the Central Committee, even COPAC has informed us that they are likely to finish the constitutional process this year, so I don't understand why our negotiator Chinamasa failed to consult the party which has given him the trust to represent it," said Gumbo.

He added that there is no room for personal opinions when it comes to the proclamation of the election dates.

The Zanu-PF spokesperson said even SADC is advocating for a speedy implementation of outstanding GPA issues, adding that Chinamasa should have been better informed that as a negotiator he represents Zanu-PF.

Gumbo said Mugabe has already indicated that elections will be held this year as soon as the constitutional process is complete, but instead Mr. Tsvangirai and his party want to delay the polls.
"Tsvangirai cannot make a declaration on election only the President can change that," said Gumbo.

Gumbo however noted that Zanu-PF's highest decision making body, the Politburo, will look into the issue of elections this Wednesday and come up with a final position ahead of the SADC Summit set for Namibia later this month.