'MLF not up to dividing the country'

Mthwakazi Liberation Front senior official Mr John Gazi yesterday complained over labels against the party's calls for secession as being enemies of the Government, he said this in a plenary session attended by Acting President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

The Acting President said the country will not revert to pre-colonial boundaries, but will uphold the spirit of a unitary state cherished by Zimbabweans.

He said those pushing for the disintegration of the country were working against the constitution.

He was responding to sentiments raised by a member of the Mthwakazi Liberation Front Mr John Gazi who in a plenary session, complained over labels against the party's calls for secession as being enemies of the Government.

"We are not up to dividing the country, but uniting it in a certain way. I'm one of the defenders of this Government, more than some in the Government, but we are labelled anti-government when we express sentiments," said Mr Gazi who said the basis of their calls was the sidelining of Matabeleland region.

In his response, the Acting President said the post-colonial generation of Zimbabweans cherish the unitary state

"Someone mentioned that before colonisation there was no unity, but as the current generation, we are committed to unity and that is why the concept of a unitary state is enshrined in our constitution," he said.

The Zimbabwe National Army Band played a surprise birthday song for the Acting President who turned 70 during an outreach meeting in Bulawayo, creating excitement among the participants, who included senior Government officials, members of different religious groupings, civic and non-governmental organisations, the provincial Joint Operation Command and youths.