News / National
'Snubbed' MDC-T formations plot on Sadc
15 Aug 2014 at 07:47hrs | Views
Zimbabwean opposition parties, stung by a rebuff from regional power broker Sadc over attempts to have the country's economic and political situation discussed at this year's Heads of State and Government Summit, have vowed to "use all means necessary" to get attention.
In separate interviews with The Zimbabwe Mail on Thursday after Sadc director of the organ on politics defence and security Tanki Mothae declared there would not be any discussions on the country's situation, the two MDC-T formations said they would "nicodemusly smuggle their agenda into the on-going 34th Sadc summit in Victoria Falls".
The MDC-renewal spokesperson, Jacob Mafume, said his formation would today approach Sadc with a paper they wish could be tabled through its national executive member responsible for international relations Gorden Moyo.
"We have our contacts which we will use. There is a paper that has been prepared by our policy department. We will confirm who the head of delegation would be," said Mafume.
Tsvangirai-faction spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said they were convinced Sadc did not really bar them from presenting their demands as it (Summit) has an obligation to lend an ear to Zimbabwe's 'main' opposition.
"Sadc did not really say they don't want us to present our issues because the crisis in Zimbabwe still remains and the group has a duty to listen to MDC-T which is the country's official opposition.
"We are still going to hand over our presentation to Sadc using presidential and ministerial representatives present at the summit," said Mwonzora.
On Tuesday, Mothae told journalists in Victoria Falls that Zimbabwe was not on the agenda after successfully holding harmonised elections last year, adding Sadc was "here to celebrate Zimbabwe taking over as Chair and support her".
In separate interviews with The Zimbabwe Mail on Thursday after Sadc director of the organ on politics defence and security Tanki Mothae declared there would not be any discussions on the country's situation, the two MDC-T formations said they would "nicodemusly smuggle their agenda into the on-going 34th Sadc summit in Victoria Falls".
The MDC-renewal spokesperson, Jacob Mafume, said his formation would today approach Sadc with a paper they wish could be tabled through its national executive member responsible for international relations Gorden Moyo.
"We have our contacts which we will use. There is a paper that has been prepared by our policy department. We will confirm who the head of delegation would be," said Mafume.
"Sadc did not really say they don't want us to present our issues because the crisis in Zimbabwe still remains and the group has a duty to listen to MDC-T which is the country's official opposition.
"We are still going to hand over our presentation to Sadc using presidential and ministerial representatives present at the summit," said Mwonzora.
On Tuesday, Mothae told journalists in Victoria Falls that Zimbabwe was not on the agenda after successfully holding harmonised elections last year, adding Sadc was "here to celebrate Zimbabwe taking over as Chair and support her".
Source - Zim Mail
