Zapu threatens daily protests in Bulawayo

Opposition Zapu youths have given government seven days to implement devolution of power or  face daily protests.

A petition has been handed to President Robert Mugabe's Bulawayo representative, minister of State for Provincial Affairs Eunice Sandi-Moyo.

Below is the petition in full :

ZAPU Youths gives Government and Parliament ultimatum on Devolution.

ZAPU Youth Front in the Southern Region of Zimbabwe has given an ultimatum to the Zimbabwean Government and Parliament on the implementation of Devolution of Power.

The Youths, who met in Bulawayo today, say it is disheartening that the country is under the leadership of those who do not adhere to constitutionalism as displayed by the current government's unwillingness to implement Chapter 14 of the new Constitution three years after adopting it.

The Youth said they have waited in vain for the implementation of Devolution of Power since endorsing the new constitution in March 2013. They said Devolution of Power was the major attracting clause in the constitution, hence the overwhelming Yes Vote for it.

The Youths said six provinces out of ten in Zimbabwe voted for Devolution of Power during the Constitution making process and ZAPU Youth Front expected the Government and the current Parliament to follow the will of the majority Zimbabweans and expeditiously implement it after the elections in 2013.

Now that there is no hope for Devolution to be implemented anytime soon, the Youth Front, who have since adopted the hash tag #WeThePeople, has issued the following demands with unspecified actions promised should the government refuse to listen.

1.     A program of action to be given by the President of Zimbabwe as to when his Government intends to implement Devolution of Power in seven days from this date.

2.     Government, through the Leader of Business in the House of Assembly, who is also Minister responsible for Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon Emerson Mnangagwa to give a comprehensive program of action as to the implementation of Devolution through aligning the laws of the country to the new constitution and through an Act Of Parliament in seven day from this date.

3.     If the above are not met in the specified timeframe, ZAPU Youth Front will implement Devolution of Power in full in the best way it feels it should be.

4.     Any attempts to silence the Youths on these demands will be viciously resisted and the Government and ZANU PF will be responsible for any eventuality that may follow.

The ZAPU Youths called upon all well meaning Zimbabweans, who know the importance of the Constitution and Constitutionalism to rally behind them as they demand Devolution of Power as provided for in the new Constitution.

The young people said they have resorted to demanding Devolution of power since it is the only remedy to the numerous problems bedeviling the country.

They said Devolution promote equality, fair distribution of national resources at local level, devolution eliminates marginalization of sections of the greater society, promotes accountability and eliminates corruption.

 They said Devolution of Power as a governance system is the cornerstone of democracy and genuine national unity as it promotes diversity and tolerance, with representation of all political opinions provided at every level of government from local to national.  

ZAPU Information Desk

For #WeThePeople.