News / Regional
'Secessionists will not be allowed to break up Zimbabwe,' says Mnangagwa
07 Aug 2015 at 10:22hrs | Views
Zimbabwe is a unitary state and those who dream about secession will not be allowed to break up the country, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa said
The Vice President, who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, was responding to New Africa's Editor-at-Large Baffour Ankomah who had said, "Zimbabwe is a unitary state, but if you hear the talk coming from Matabeleland, you might think the opposite is true. What is your view on that?"
Mnangwagwa responded by saying, "Zimbabwe is a democracy and people are allowed to dream. But the truth is that Zimbabwe is a unitary state. I often talk about it. It is a unitary state and those who dream about secession will not be allowed to break up the country. But we will not imprison a person for advocating for secession. You can continue to dream in a democracy. But we are a unitary state and nobody can change."
Mnangagwa recently told the State media that anyone who harbours plans to secede or partition the country along tribal lines is possessed by spirits and day-dreaming.
Mnangagwa said the Constitution clearly stated that Zimbabwe is a unitary state.
"Let us enjoy and cherish our heritage as Zimbabweans because we got this country from God without even asking for it. We are one unitary country from Zambezi to Limpopo and Chipinge to Plumtree although we have more tribes and up to 16 official languages," he said.
"Anyone who dreams of partitioning this country along tribal lines or whatever means is possessed by Legion (biblical man possessed by many spirits). Zimbabwe is one country," he added.
He said it was normal to sometimes clash and have differences but emphasised the need to always seek peaceful resolution of conflicts as citizens of one nation.
The Vice President, who is also the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, was responding to New Africa's Editor-at-Large Baffour Ankomah who had said, "Zimbabwe is a unitary state, but if you hear the talk coming from Matabeleland, you might think the opposite is true. What is your view on that?"
Mnangwagwa responded by saying, "Zimbabwe is a democracy and people are allowed to dream. But the truth is that Zimbabwe is a unitary state. I often talk about it. It is a unitary state and those who dream about secession will not be allowed to break up the country. But we will not imprison a person for advocating for secession. You can continue to dream in a democracy. But we are a unitary state and nobody can change."
Mnangagwa recently told the State media that anyone who harbours plans to secede or partition the country along tribal lines is possessed by spirits and day-dreaming.
"Let us enjoy and cherish our heritage as Zimbabweans because we got this country from God without even asking for it. We are one unitary country from Zambezi to Limpopo and Chipinge to Plumtree although we have more tribes and up to 16 official languages," he said.
"Anyone who dreams of partitioning this country along tribal lines or whatever means is possessed by Legion (biblical man possessed by many spirits). Zimbabwe is one country," he added.
He said it was normal to sometimes clash and have differences but emphasised the need to always seek peaceful resolution of conflicts as citizens of one nation.
Source - Byo24News
