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Zanu-PF wants street named after Mbeki
17 Feb 2014 at 15:06hrs | Views
Zanu-PF legislators want a street to be named after former South African President Thabo Mbeki for bringing stability to Zimbabwe after helping negotiate terms of a power sharing government.
MDC legislators are against the proposal, accusing Mbeki of having propped up Zanu-PF.
Reuben Marumahoko, MP for Hurungwe North, tabled the motion in Parliament on Thursday while debating the Presidential speech.
He urged MDC MPs to support his motion.
"My contribution is targeted at the icon of Africa, son of the soil, a principled man whose name is Thabo Mbeki, the former President of South Africa," Marumahoko said.
"We owe an appreciation of Thabo Mbeki. He made Zimbabwe to be what it is today after the difficulties we went through during the 2008 elections where the regime change agenda was at play.
"The enemies of Africa and Zimbabwe were ready to pounce on Zimbabwe.
"Thanks to him, he came and assisted in resolving conflict."
Mbeki was deployed by Sadc in 2008 to be the mediator in the political dispute between Zanu-PF and MDC - leading to the formation of an inclusive government which lasted for five years.
Marumahoko said Mbeki lost his presidency for helping Zimbabweans.
"His crime was that he assisted Zimbabwe to come together and form a government of national unity," Marumahoko said.
"Mbeki is known for his quiet diplomacy, which did not please the enemies of Africa. It is important also as a country that we try probably, to name one of our roads after him like we did to Nelson Mandela and other African leaders.
"It is a pity that when he had finished the mission assigned to him to bring together Zimbabwe's political parties, he discovered his party had recalled him.
"We know why he lost his presidency in South Africa - not that people of SA did not want him, but the enemies of Africa did not want him."
Marumahoko said it was important that the MPs support Mbeki, saying he stood by Zimbabwe.
"He is a man that all of us, including the opposition, here should appreciate and support for the good work he has done," Marumahoko said.
MDC legislators are against the proposal, accusing Mbeki of having propped up Zanu-PF.
Reuben Marumahoko, MP for Hurungwe North, tabled the motion in Parliament on Thursday while debating the Presidential speech.
He urged MDC MPs to support his motion.
"My contribution is targeted at the icon of Africa, son of the soil, a principled man whose name is Thabo Mbeki, the former President of South Africa," Marumahoko said.
"We owe an appreciation of Thabo Mbeki. He made Zimbabwe to be what it is today after the difficulties we went through during the 2008 elections where the regime change agenda was at play.
"The enemies of Africa and Zimbabwe were ready to pounce on Zimbabwe.
"Thanks to him, he came and assisted in resolving conflict."
Marumahoko said Mbeki lost his presidency for helping Zimbabweans.
"His crime was that he assisted Zimbabwe to come together and form a government of national unity," Marumahoko said.
"Mbeki is known for his quiet diplomacy, which did not please the enemies of Africa. It is important also as a country that we try probably, to name one of our roads after him like we did to Nelson Mandela and other African leaders.
"It is a pity that when he had finished the mission assigned to him to bring together Zimbabwe's political parties, he discovered his party had recalled him.
"We know why he lost his presidency in South Africa - not that people of SA did not want him, but the enemies of Africa did not want him."
Marumahoko said it was important that the MPs support Mbeki, saying he stood by Zimbabwe.
"He is a man that all of us, including the opposition, here should appreciate and support for the good work he has done," Marumahoko said.
Source - dailynews
