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MDC-T lacks capacity to run Govt: Bennett
23 Oct 2011 at 21:10hrs | Views
IN a stunning revelation, the Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai-led Movement for Democratic Change formation's finance chairman, Roy Bennett believes the formation has no capacity to run a Government.
According to a Wikileaks cable dated 2010-02-04 14:45, Bennett, the then Deputy Minister of Agriculture in waiting who is now in self-imposed exile in South Africa, made the revelations in a conversation with American Ambassador Charles Ray during a dinner hosted by the British ambassador for visiting UK parliamentarians on February 1 last year.
Bennett talked with the Ambassador about MDC-T's inability to deliver the goods to the people, despite its strong ability to campaign; he saw a need to refocus external assistance more toward institution building and strengthening civil society.
Bennett is reported to have acceded that the MDC-T under Tsvangirai's leadership was very popular throughout the country, in 'part due to Tsvangirai's sincerity and humility, and in part due to ZANU-PF arrogance and lack of concern for the common citizen'.
"The party is good at campaigning, but lacks a strong bench in terms of governing," said Bennett during the conversation.
"Hardly any of our Ministers has any previous experience in administration, and the few with any capability are overstretched, he said in the cables.
In separate discussions with the American embassy's Political and Economic Section Chief, Bennett revealed fears of corruption within the party. He said there were rumours several MDC-T Ministers were corrupt, but the party had resolved not act on rumours.
The exiled MDC-T stalwart went on to reveal that he was aware of reports that Tsvangirai was buying a $1 million house in Harare. He said he investigated and discovered that two individuals associated with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Gideon Gono had proposed buying the house for Tsvangirai. Bennett said he urged Tsvangirai to stop the arrangement and Tsvangirai agreed. The Prime Minister, however, had accepted two vehicles from these individuals.
He also accused the party of being 'unfocused' and described the Office of the Prime Minister as 'weak'. He said the party had largely been left unattended as party heavyweights such Tendai Biti were 'occupied' in Government.
According to a Wikileaks cable dated 2010-02-04 14:45, Bennett, the then Deputy Minister of Agriculture in waiting who is now in self-imposed exile in South Africa, made the revelations in a conversation with American Ambassador Charles Ray during a dinner hosted by the British ambassador for visiting UK parliamentarians on February 1 last year.
Bennett talked with the Ambassador about MDC-T's inability to deliver the goods to the people, despite its strong ability to campaign; he saw a need to refocus external assistance more toward institution building and strengthening civil society.
Bennett is reported to have acceded that the MDC-T under Tsvangirai's leadership was very popular throughout the country, in 'part due to Tsvangirai's sincerity and humility, and in part due to ZANU-PF arrogance and lack of concern for the common citizen'.
"Hardly any of our Ministers has any previous experience in administration, and the few with any capability are overstretched, he said in the cables.
In separate discussions with the American embassy's Political and Economic Section Chief, Bennett revealed fears of corruption within the party. He said there were rumours several MDC-T Ministers were corrupt, but the party had resolved not act on rumours.
The exiled MDC-T stalwart went on to reveal that he was aware of reports that Tsvangirai was buying a $1 million house in Harare. He said he investigated and discovered that two individuals associated with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor, Gideon Gono had proposed buying the house for Tsvangirai. Bennett said he urged Tsvangirai to stop the arrangement and Tsvangirai agreed. The Prime Minister, however, had accepted two vehicles from these individuals.
He also accused the party of being 'unfocused' and described the Office of the Prime Minister as 'weak'. He said the party had largely been left unattended as party heavyweights such Tendai Biti were 'occupied' in Government.
Source - zimbanews
