Quit now, MDC-T tells Zanu-PF

Former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC yesterday called on the Zanu-PF government to quit and make way for an administrative government before thousands of Zimbabweans starve.

This comes after weekend revelations by President Robert Mugabe at Kutama Mission's Centenary celebrations that he was overworked and his mind was occupied with many problems.

The MDC says Mugabe and his party should step down and make way for more capable leaders.

Among some of the problems bedevilling the nonagenarian leader are his advanced age, an allegedly ailing First Lady, Zimbabwe's economic problems and political tensions in the country.

In a statement released yesterday, MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu said the biggest challenge facing Zimbabwe today is a "lack of political legitimacy stemming from a renegade and corrupt regime that is driving the country into a socio-economic and political hell-hole".

"The people of Zimbabwe are living in virtual political and socio-economic bondage as a direct result of the ruinous economic and political trajectory that Zimbabwe has taken over the past 35 years, with Mugabe at the helm," Gutu said.

He said the majority of people are living in abject poverty because of Zanu-PF's ignorance adding that the erratic rain season means that millions of Zimbabweans will need food relief.

Gutu said the Zanu-PF government was bankrupt and will not be able to raise funds to import maize to avert starvation.

He added that the 91-year-old Zanu-PF strongman should be called to order and not globe-trot while the country is wasting away.

"While the economy continues to nosedive and the public health delivery system has literally gone to the dogs, we have a president who is now permanently domiciled aboard an Air Zimbabwe jet as he hops from one foreign destination to another. It is high time that Robert Mugabe is called to order," he said.

Mugabe was yesterday due to fly to Algeria, having spent only two days in the country after returning from a previous trip to Japan and Singapore and attending Namibia's presidential inauguration on Friday.