MDC-T discussion on issues affecting ZImbabwe: Press Statement

Today, the 7th of March 2012 the National Executive of the MDC-T met in Harare to discuss various issues affecting the nation and the party.

The National Executive received reports from the MDC-T representatives in the government that a lot of Ministers were undermining key programs of the inclusive government.

For example Minister for Media Information and Publicity, Webster Shamu has consistently been refusing to implement key reforms in the Media reforms as agreed by the negotiators and as directed by the Principals of the Global Political Agreement. The MDC-T knows that the obstinacy displayed by Minister Shamu is part of the grand plan by Zanu-PF to undermine the government and create conditions of free and fair elections.

President Morgan Tsvangirai advised the meeting that he will be reporting to Parliament once every month on the performance of all the ministers in the government. The MDC-T National Executive welcomed that move.

The national executive condemned in the strongest terms the moves by Zanu-PF to ban the operations of NGO's in the rural areas. The move is part of the evil plan by Zanu-PF to perpetuate the suffering of the people of Zimbabwe and thus use hunger as a political weapon. The national executive vowed to fight these sadistic moves by Zanu-PF and urged the Minister for Labour and Social Welfare to make sure that these illegal practices are thwarted. It was observed that NGOs were being banned in those provinces where Zanu-PF was beaten resoundingly in the 2008 elections.

The meeting also received reports about the progress in the constitution making process. The national executive expressed satisfaction at the work being done by the Parliamentary Select Committee so far under very difficult circumstances. The MDC-T remains committed to the completion of the people driven constitution process. The MDC-T condemns in no uncertain terms the intimidation and harassment of the drafters by some elements within Zanu-PF and urged that Copac be allowed to complete its work.

The National executive resolved to treat the year 2012 as a watershed year and will prepare for elections whether or not these elections were going to be held this year. To that end the Organising Department is working flat out to prepare the MDC-T structures for elections. However, the Committee reiterated that the elections must only be held after all the conditions for a free and fair elections have been fulfilled.

On the issue of the Constituency Development Fund, the party expressed satisfaction at the way most of the MDC-T Members of Parliament have utilised these funds for the benefit of their constituencies. However, all those MPs who have abused the fund must be brought to book irrespective of their political persuasion. To that end the MDC-T will support the efforts of the Anti- corruption Commission and urged that it retains its professionalism and non partisanship in the discharge of its work.

Lastly, National Executive resolved to assign teams to do evaluations and performance audits for all rural and urban councils in the country. The aim is to appraise the party with the performance of all the councils. These committees will commence their work in the next few days and their work will be made public.

The MDC-T leadership expressed alarm at the number of roadblocks that are being erected by the Zimbabwe Republic Police. These roadblocks are excessive and are apparently a ploy to fundraise for Zanu-PF. The Committee condemned the practice by some ZRP officers to smash windscreens of vehicles as a way to enforce these excessive roadblocks.