Key reforms necessary before elections: MDC

The MDC-T will not be force- marched into elections by Zanu PF before the completion of key reforms, a senior party official said at the weekend.

Addressing party supporters at Rutenga Grounds, Zaka Business Centre on Saturday,  MDC provincial secretary Tongai Matutu, who is the Deputy Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation  and Empowerment said the party had reached a point of no return because it had gone through harrowing experiences in the past elections.

"We have now reached a point of no return and we will not be forced into an election by Zanu PF before the completion of the necessary processes. There should be the completion of the Constitution making process first, then we will go to the referendum and after that, we will look at the delimitation exercise. This time round there will be no compromise. Let me stress the fact that we will not be dragged to the polls before the necessary reforms," said Matutu.

He urged party supporters to shun bribery since corruption and bickering would derail the march towards total democracy.

"I want to urge our members to shun corruption and acts of bribery since such habits are detrimental to the spirit of democracy.

He described the much anticipated polls as penultimate and decisive in terms of shaping the political landscape in the country.

"Let us be patient with the democratic process and we must make sure that the voters ` roll is in order before going to the polls. Although the inclusive government is a frustrating set up it has given us the opportunity to be part of the policy makers. The GNU gave us the chance to get accustomed to government systems and operations .We must make sure there is no violence in the country ahead of the plebiscite. We know there are people who are threatening villagers here and let me warn them that they will face prosecution for orchestrating violence. Zanu PF is trying to demonise Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai but we will continue to rally behind him despite their utterances," said Matutu.

At the same rally Tachiona Mharadza Chiminya, the MP for Masvingo West, told villagers and party supporters that the former ruling party was a politically spent-force banking on terror tactics and suppression to maintain a stranglehold on power.

Speaking at the same gathering, the local legislator and Masvingo provincial information and publicity secretary, Harrison Mudzuri said the lack of freedom of expression in Zanu PF was alarming such that even party members were begging the MDC to help them in removing the octogenarian leader from power.

"Even Zanu PF members are experiencing the impact of oppression and some of them have even approached us expressing their disgruntlement over Mugabe's iron fisted rule. For your own information, some Zanu PF members are completely fed up with Mugabe. People are being victimised by Mugabe through the CIO, the police and the army. That is how Mugabe has managed to cling to power. Mugabe is oppressing his own
party members," said Mudzuri.

At another rally in Manicaland, provincial chairperson, Julius Magarangoma said Zanu PF has long been rejected by the people but it continues to hold on to power.

He said broadcasting the Zanu PF conference on national TV was an indictment to ratepayers who do not subscribe to Zanu PF's philosophy of violence, intimidation and coercion.

"Zanu PF monopolises the national broadcaster. There was nothing else to see. Each time one tuned in to the national television station, there was nothing else but the Zanu PF conference. What new thing can that party do after more than 30 years in power? The people are not fools, they cannot be deceived. Zanu PF has nothing to sell to the people. It was long rejected by the people and it knows it," he said.

He said people must be wary of Zanu PF's cheap politicking adding that all year round Zanu PF was preaching an election this year but the year has come to end and no elections have been held.

"There are just a few days left before the year comes to an end and I wonder whether its still possible to hold an election as Zanu PF preached,  that is what it is good at - lying to the people," he said.

Magarangoma took the opportunity to tell the people that no one knows the real date of elections but that they can only be held after the outstanding issues are finalised as is on the roadmap.

"We are not afraid of elections, actually we are ready for them but we don't want violence. We want free and fair elections and the constitution should be finalised before any elections are held," he said.

Speaking at the same occasion, the provincial Women Assembly chairperson, Keresencia Chabuka said there is no greater weapon than exercising your right to vote to remove Zanu PF.

"The issue is about how to remove Zanu PF. We should all register to vote, and after voting, we must be prepared to defend our vote," she said.

Provincial youth chairperson, Dennis Simango who also spoke at the same rally reminded the youths that they had to finish the unfinished business of the liberation struggle.

"We cannot be Rhodesia again but we have to truly liberate Zimbabwe. If you are afraid of saying what you want, of joining a political party of your choice, of associating with those you want to associate with and if you reach 40 years of age without having been issued with a payslip, then something is terribly wrong. It just means you are not free. You are not independent," he said.

Simango said the issue is not about toy toying or chanting slogans but it is about voting.

In Harare, an end of year rally was held at Chimbumu stadium in Budiriro on Sunday. The Harare provincial leadership took the time to update the people on the journey travelled by the MDC in the last month.

The provincial organising secretary said the rally was held in celebration of the people's courage and conviction in wanting to deliver real change to the people.

"There is gross intimidation around the suburbs, so we are holding this rally to encourage the people and to celebrate their bravery despite the negative feedback from our opponents," said Munyanyi.

He said Zanu PF was a violent party and anyone who opposed their archaic thinking were subject to attacks from the party's hooligans.

"So we are congratulating the people and encouraging them to hold on to their desire for a truly free and democratic Zimbabwe. The journey is still on, but we are confident, that he who began the good work with us, will continue with us until real change comes to Zimbabwe," he said.

The rally was attended by party activists from Budiriro and the surrounding districts.

Meanwhile, the MDC Youth Assembly on Sunday held a soccer and netball tournament under the banner "One goal one community."

The tournament gathered hundreds of young people from Chegutu in competition for a better society in their district.