News / National
Tsvangirai attacks Zanu-PF, Jonathan Moyo and Army Generals
28 Jun 2011 at 10:51hrs | Views
"The problem has never been the ordinary soldier, a civil servant or the ordinary police officer. It has always been a small, parasitic clique at the helm of these institutions that is at the forefront of systemic violation of the people's fundamental rights and freedoms," Tsvangirai said.
"They have created a war situation in the country; which by its very nature subverts the Constitutional order and undermines the legitimate civilian authority in the country.
"As we trudge from the disputed poll of 2008 towards yet another election, the onus falls on SADC, Africa and the broader international community to stand by the people of Zimbabwe to ensure that their security, their freedoms and their vote is protected.
The rogue elements, with the aid of a few failed politicians like Jonathan Moyo, have become so desperate with their loss of political clout that they are now keen to spoil the broth. The ground is slipping off their feet nearly every day that they are frantically clinging onto the past for salvation.
At the same time, MDC-T is becoming stronger and united despite these attempts to rock the boat. Examples from elsewhere show that spoilers would stop at nothing to hold onto a fast-disappearing iceberg, like Zanu-PF – hence the hoarse whimpers from the likes of Jonathan Moyo and a few misguided military generals."
Addressing a couple of thousand MDC-T fans at White City Stadium in Bulawayo on Sunday, MDC-T President Morgan Tsvangirai said the MDC-T should remain focussed, resolute and unshaken in the quest to achieve and bring real change. "We went into the transitional government knowing that everything would be a fight, foot by foot. We are not going to be intimidated," he said.
After its dramatic and unexpected loss of faith and confidence from its former allies SADC and the African Union, Zanu-PF and certain elements of the security sector wish to collapse the inclusive government and call for a premature election. The MDC-T and the region are aware of the plot and would never allow it to succeed.
"Today Jonathan Moyo is behaving like the leader of Zanu PF. He is saying arrest Jameson Timba; and he gets arrested. He is saying arrest Tsvangirai; he knows that if they arrest Tsvangirai, MDC-T might pull out of the coalition government and that might be its end. That is what they want.
"If they ever arrest me and incarcerate me in the cells, let me rot in there, their plans should never succeed. Let me rot in jail. Even if they arrest or kill me, the MDC-T should remain in government. We cannot be intimidated by anyone and no one has the right to do that," he said.
"We got into this transitional to see how we can solve the challenges be-devilling this country. We did not get into this inclusive government to de-mobilise the people of Zimbabwe to fight for their rights and fight for their freedoms."
"We cannot spend all our times fighting our differences simply because Mugabe and his colleagues are concerned with their personal preferences now," he said. "This nation must move forward."
By using violence and the state security to intimidate MDC-T members, Zanu-PF is admitting that it is on the verge of death, he said. "A popular party and a popular leader do not have to scare anyone. People simply grant that leader and his party the necessary mandate to preside over their national affairs. They never do that if they are scared. We are not scared of anyone," he said.
Earlier at the World Justice Forum in Barcelona, Spain last week, Tsvangirai said: "I am glad that SADC and the facilitator, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, have exerted their energies to ensuring that the parties in Zimbabwe come up with a roadmap to a free and fair election. In the modern world of regional groupings and interconnected economies, it is necessary for peace to prevail even in the homes of our neighbours.
That is why we are heartened by the unstinting effort of our colleagues in SADC in helping us craft a roadmap that will ensure a credible election, an undisputed result and a legitimate government.
"A roadmap, with time-bound milestones to ensure the people of Zimbabwe cast their votes in peace, with neither fear nor coercion. A roadmap that will ensure that the outcome of that election is respected and that the people's will is protected," he said.
Turning to the issue of the economy, Tsvangirai said industries had to be supported and resuscitated in all the provinces so that we are able to protect our interests and rebuild our nation.
"We need to stop the bleeding of industries in Bulawayo, the Midlands so that we are able to protect and develop what we have. We have to invest and support our industries so that we are able to grow the economy," he said.
"In the medium to long term, our economic vision has to start by revitalising existing infrastructure – the railways, road, electricity – these should be in place because they are enablers," said Tsvangirai.
He said it was important for government to be dealing in developmental issues rather than have frictions in Cabinet.
MDC-T vice president Thokozani Khupe said Zimbabwe was at the last stages of achieving full democracy. "This election that we are looking forward to is the final push to delivering real change for our people. It is in this election that we will bury Zanu-PF and seal the grave so that it does not resurrect.
"We will get that roadmap that will ensure that we have free, fair, credible elections," she said.
Lovemore Moyo, the MDC-T national chairperson, reiterated the preparedness of MDC-T to govern this country and said the MDC-T was irreversible and that change is inevitable.
"Our sorrows and troubles come with the Lancaster Constitution that has been used to abuse our people. We will not allow this constitution that infringes on our rights and freedoms to take us to an election. As the MDC-T we say 'No' to a Constitution that will not respect the will of the people and 'Yes' to a Constitution that is people centred.
"MDC-T is ready to govern and lead the people of Zimbabwe to prosperity," Moyo said.
Addressing at the same rally, Tendai Biti, the MDC-T secretary general, said the MDC-T's vision was to build a $400 billion economy by 2030.
He however strongly condemned violence, and rigging in the coming elections.
"No to violence, stolen elections, propaganda and a leadership without love for the people. Yes to a new government, leadership and violence-free election."
"Zanu-PF can arrest us, use the media to tarnish our personalities and even kill us but there is no bullet, gun or missile that will derail the idea whose hour has come. We will defend the will of the people; we will defend the election result," Biti said.
The Women's Assembly chairperson, Theresa Makone spoke against the use of intimidatory tactics by the security agents to aid the losing Zanu PF.
She said as women they were going to use of their 52 percent majority to vote Robert Mugabe and Zanu-PF out of government.
"Zanu-PF is a hornless owl. The women of Zimbabwe are not going to be intimidated this time. We are going to make sure that the 52 percent majority counts for something," said Makone.
Promise Mkhwananzi, the MDC-T Youth Assembly national secretary said the youths in Zimbabwe were ready to defend the people's vote in the next elections.
"If Zanu-PF denies us our right to the election result as it did in 2008 this time we will have no choice as the MDC-T Youth Assembly but to defend the people's vote," said Mkhwananzi encouraging voter registration especially amongst the youths.
Click here for The Real Change Times Issue 074 of 2011
"They have created a war situation in the country; which by its very nature subverts the Constitutional order and undermines the legitimate civilian authority in the country.
"As we trudge from the disputed poll of 2008 towards yet another election, the onus falls on SADC, Africa and the broader international community to stand by the people of Zimbabwe to ensure that their security, their freedoms and their vote is protected.
The rogue elements, with the aid of a few failed politicians like Jonathan Moyo, have become so desperate with their loss of political clout that they are now keen to spoil the broth. The ground is slipping off their feet nearly every day that they are frantically clinging onto the past for salvation.
At the same time, MDC-T is becoming stronger and united despite these attempts to rock the boat. Examples from elsewhere show that spoilers would stop at nothing to hold onto a fast-disappearing iceberg, like Zanu-PF – hence the hoarse whimpers from the likes of Jonathan Moyo and a few misguided military generals."
Addressing a couple of thousand MDC-T fans at White City Stadium in Bulawayo on Sunday, MDC-T President Morgan Tsvangirai said the MDC-T should remain focussed, resolute and unshaken in the quest to achieve and bring real change. "We went into the transitional government knowing that everything would be a fight, foot by foot. We are not going to be intimidated," he said.
After its dramatic and unexpected loss of faith and confidence from its former allies SADC and the African Union, Zanu-PF and certain elements of the security sector wish to collapse the inclusive government and call for a premature election. The MDC-T and the region are aware of the plot and would never allow it to succeed.
"Today Jonathan Moyo is behaving like the leader of Zanu PF. He is saying arrest Jameson Timba; and he gets arrested. He is saying arrest Tsvangirai; he knows that if they arrest Tsvangirai, MDC-T might pull out of the coalition government and that might be its end. That is what they want.
"If they ever arrest me and incarcerate me in the cells, let me rot in there, their plans should never succeed. Let me rot in jail. Even if they arrest or kill me, the MDC-T should remain in government. We cannot be intimidated by anyone and no one has the right to do that," he said.
"We got into this transitional to see how we can solve the challenges be-devilling this country. We did not get into this inclusive government to de-mobilise the people of Zimbabwe to fight for their rights and fight for their freedoms."
"We cannot spend all our times fighting our differences simply because Mugabe and his colleagues are concerned with their personal preferences now," he said. "This nation must move forward."
By using violence and the state security to intimidate MDC-T members, Zanu-PF is admitting that it is on the verge of death, he said. "A popular party and a popular leader do not have to scare anyone. People simply grant that leader and his party the necessary mandate to preside over their national affairs. They never do that if they are scared. We are not scared of anyone," he said.
Earlier at the World Justice Forum in Barcelona, Spain last week, Tsvangirai said: "I am glad that SADC and the facilitator, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, have exerted their energies to ensuring that the parties in Zimbabwe come up with a roadmap to a free and fair election. In the modern world of regional groupings and interconnected economies, it is necessary for peace to prevail even in the homes of our neighbours.
That is why we are heartened by the unstinting effort of our colleagues in SADC in helping us craft a roadmap that will ensure a credible election, an undisputed result and a legitimate government.
"A roadmap, with time-bound milestones to ensure the people of Zimbabwe cast their votes in peace, with neither fear nor coercion. A roadmap that will ensure that the outcome of that election is respected and that the people's will is protected," he said.
Turning to the issue of the economy, Tsvangirai said industries had to be supported and resuscitated in all the provinces so that we are able to protect our interests and rebuild our nation.
"We need to stop the bleeding of industries in Bulawayo, the Midlands so that we are able to protect and develop what we have. We have to invest and support our industries so that we are able to grow the economy," he said.
He said it was important for government to be dealing in developmental issues rather than have frictions in Cabinet.
MDC-T vice president Thokozani Khupe said Zimbabwe was at the last stages of achieving full democracy. "This election that we are looking forward to is the final push to delivering real change for our people. It is in this election that we will bury Zanu-PF and seal the grave so that it does not resurrect.
"We will get that roadmap that will ensure that we have free, fair, credible elections," she said.
Lovemore Moyo, the MDC-T national chairperson, reiterated the preparedness of MDC-T to govern this country and said the MDC-T was irreversible and that change is inevitable.
"Our sorrows and troubles come with the Lancaster Constitution that has been used to abuse our people. We will not allow this constitution that infringes on our rights and freedoms to take us to an election. As the MDC-T we say 'No' to a Constitution that will not respect the will of the people and 'Yes' to a Constitution that is people centred.
"MDC-T is ready to govern and lead the people of Zimbabwe to prosperity," Moyo said.
Addressing at the same rally, Tendai Biti, the MDC-T secretary general, said the MDC-T's vision was to build a $400 billion economy by 2030.
He however strongly condemned violence, and rigging in the coming elections.
"No to violence, stolen elections, propaganda and a leadership without love for the people. Yes to a new government, leadership and violence-free election."
"Zanu-PF can arrest us, use the media to tarnish our personalities and even kill us but there is no bullet, gun or missile that will derail the idea whose hour has come. We will defend the will of the people; we will defend the election result," Biti said.
The Women's Assembly chairperson, Theresa Makone spoke against the use of intimidatory tactics by the security agents to aid the losing Zanu PF.
She said as women they were going to use of their 52 percent majority to vote Robert Mugabe and Zanu-PF out of government.
"Zanu-PF is a hornless owl. The women of Zimbabwe are not going to be intimidated this time. We are going to make sure that the 52 percent majority counts for something," said Makone.
Promise Mkhwananzi, the MDC-T Youth Assembly national secretary said the youths in Zimbabwe were ready to defend the people's vote in the next elections.
"If Zanu-PF denies us our right to the election result as it did in 2008 this time we will have no choice as the MDC-T Youth Assembly but to defend the people's vote," said Mkhwananzi encouraging voter registration especially amongst the youths.
Click here for The Real Change Times Issue 074 of 2011
Source - MDC-T
