News / National
Zanu-PF quits Jomic
17 Jul 2013 at 11:41hrs | Views
ZANU-PF has pulled out of the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee citing abuse of the organisation's assets by MDC formations and implored the Jomic national co-ordinator to freeze and withdraw the assets pending consultation on their disposal.
Zanu-PF GPA negotiator Patrick Chinamasa, who is also Justice and Legal Affairs Minister, said Zanu-PF had noted with concern rampant abuse of Jomic assets by the MDC formations, among them the organisation's logo and vehicles.
"We are disturbed that at all the rallies of the MDC-T and MDC, these parties are abusing Jomic vehicles to carry their supporters to their rallies.
"This is undermining the neutrality of Jomic. The mandate of Jomic was that this would be a threesome organisation to resolve disputes, now they are abusing its assets for partisan purposes, for purposes other than the mandate of Jomic.
"For that reason Zanu-PF is pulling out of Jomic. We cannot be party to the abuse of Jomic assets."
Jomic was set up in terms of section 22.1 of the inter-party Global Political Agreement signed between Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations on September 15 2008 to monitor the implementation of the GPA that set up the inclusive Government.
It comprises four senior members from each of the GPA parties.
Chinamasa urged the Jomic national co-ordinator to freeze and withdraw all Jomic assets from the GPA parties to curb further abuse.
"We are calling upon the national co-ordinator of Jomic to freeze and withdraw all Jomic assets from the members so that these assets will not continue to be abused.
"I am sure that those co-operating partners who made these donations are not pleased that the assets are being used for partisan purposes," he said.
The police, Chinamasa said, should also impound any Jomic vehicles they see being abused on the roads.
Jomic communications manager Mr Joram Nyathi said he was not aware of the developments.
"I am not aware of that. I would have to contact the members and get back to you," he said.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora yesterday denied that his party was abusing Jomic assets and accused Zanu-PF of sabotaging the organisation.
"Zanu-PF was never serious about Jomic in the first place and effectively withdrew from the body a long time ago. We are not surprised by their move. There was no abuse of Jomic resources by anyone. It is surprising that that issue is being raised now, it is typical of Zanu-PF to blame everyone," Mr Mwonzora said.
MDC spokesperson Mr Kurauone Chihwayi echoed similar sentiments.
"It is unfortunate that they have decided to pull out now when Jomic is needed most. There is no abuse of Jomic resources that we know of and if there were any issues, Zanu-PF could have raised them internally not from outside," Mr Chihwayi said.
He said Jomic had managed to foster tolerance among the political protagonists.
Zanu-PF GPA negotiator Patrick Chinamasa, who is also Justice and Legal Affairs Minister, said Zanu-PF had noted with concern rampant abuse of Jomic assets by the MDC formations, among them the organisation's logo and vehicles.
"We are disturbed that at all the rallies of the MDC-T and MDC, these parties are abusing Jomic vehicles to carry their supporters to their rallies.
"This is undermining the neutrality of Jomic. The mandate of Jomic was that this would be a threesome organisation to resolve disputes, now they are abusing its assets for partisan purposes, for purposes other than the mandate of Jomic.
"For that reason Zanu-PF is pulling out of Jomic. We cannot be party to the abuse of Jomic assets."
Jomic was set up in terms of section 22.1 of the inter-party Global Political Agreement signed between Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations on September 15 2008 to monitor the implementation of the GPA that set up the inclusive Government.
It comprises four senior members from each of the GPA parties.
Chinamasa urged the Jomic national co-ordinator to freeze and withdraw all Jomic assets from the GPA parties to curb further abuse.
"We are calling upon the national co-ordinator of Jomic to freeze and withdraw all Jomic assets from the members so that these assets will not continue to be abused.
"I am sure that those co-operating partners who made these donations are not pleased that the assets are being used for partisan purposes," he said.
The police, Chinamasa said, should also impound any Jomic vehicles they see being abused on the roads.
Jomic communications manager Mr Joram Nyathi said he was not aware of the developments.
"I am not aware of that. I would have to contact the members and get back to you," he said.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora yesterday denied that his party was abusing Jomic assets and accused Zanu-PF of sabotaging the organisation.
"Zanu-PF was never serious about Jomic in the first place and effectively withdrew from the body a long time ago. We are not surprised by their move. There was no abuse of Jomic resources by anyone. It is surprising that that issue is being raised now, it is typical of Zanu-PF to blame everyone," Mr Mwonzora said.
MDC spokesperson Mr Kurauone Chihwayi echoed similar sentiments.
"It is unfortunate that they have decided to pull out now when Jomic is needed most. There is no abuse of Jomic resources that we know of and if there were any issues, Zanu-PF could have raised them internally not from outside," Mr Chihwayi said.
He said Jomic had managed to foster tolerance among the political protagonists.
Source - herald
