MDC-T happy with draft constitution - Mangoma

The Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai says it is satisfied that most of the people's views were captured in the draft Constitution and the party will support it in the coming referendum, Elton Mangoma, the MDC Deputy Treasurer has said.

Mangoma was addressing hundreds of MDC officials at a fundraising lunch hosted by the Mashonaland West provincial executive at Chinhoyi University of Technology last Friday.

Mangoma is one of the MDC negotiators in the Global Political Agreement and is part of the Copac management committee. "As a party, we are optimistic of the developments in the draft Constitution as it has managed to capture the views of the people and as a party we are going to support the draft in the coming referendum," Mangoma said.

Mangoma praised the Mashonaland provincial executive for holding the fundraising dinner saying it was a pioneer project that other provinces should emulate. The dinner was attended by several senior MDC officials who included the deputy national chairperson; Morgan Komichi, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Paurina Mpariwa and the Mashonaland West provincial executive.

Meanwhile, the MDC held several rallies across the country that were attended by thousands of party supporters. Addressing party supporters at Chidamoyo Growth Point in Magunje, the Mashonaland West provincial secretary, Wilson Makanyaire said it was time for every person who was eligible to vote to make sure that he or she is a registered voter to enable them to vote in the next election.

In Bulawayo, Mzilikazi Senator Matson Hlalo said the people should go out and vote in the next election in order to do away with voter apathy in the province. Senator Hlalo was speaking at Stanley Hall where he said only 80 000 out of 200 000 registered voters in Bulawayo managed to cast their votes in 2008.

"Out of over 200 000 registered voters only about 80 000 came out. This shows that over 100 000 registered did not cast their votes," he said.

In Gutu South, Masvingo province, terror militia bases have resurfaced at Man'a Business Centre in Ward 27. According to MDC councillor for Ward 27, Alderman Jeffrey Tangemhare at least 20 known Zanu PF militia members, masquerading as members of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee(NWC), are camped at Man'a Business Centre where they are carrying out sinister activities reminiscent of the build up to the 2008 Zanu PF terror campaign.

Alderman Tangemhare said although the coordinators of the programme claim the camping has nothing to do with politics, the local community is concerned about the participation of known Zanu PF functionaries in police operations. In addition, the so called members of the police constabulary department are allegedly chanting Zanu PF songs during their training sessions.

In Midlands South, Hon Nelson Chamisa, the National Organising Secretary addressed thousands of party supporters at Chiundura business center. He took time to acknowledge the contribution of Mr Ngwegwe and some elderly women of Chiundura who have stood by the party since its formation.

He said the MDC is in the inclusive government for institutional, constitutional and election reform to take place. He added that: "The Indigenisation programme is misbegotten because it seeks to distribute resources as opposed to creating wealth. The MDC has a clear policy that seeks to create employment for the people, especially the youth and women so that they become active players for economic development."