NTA will safeguard the people against Zanu PF bloodshed, says Biti

The proposed National Transitional Authority (NTA) will safeguard the people against bloodshed in the face of Zanu PF's failure to run the economy and manage its succession, President Tendai Biti has said.

He said this while addressing thousands of party supporters to mark the People's Democratic Party's (PDP) first anniversary celebrations at the White City Arena in Bulawayo on Sunday.

The celebrations were held under the theme; #TogetherAnotherZimbabweIsPossible, which theme was meant to promote the unity enjoyed within the PDP and encourage opposition democratic forces to put aside their differences and work together to deliver another Zimbabwe.

"We must safeguard the people and avoid bloodshed.  That is why we need the NTA to avoid the total collapse of the country," President Biti said.

He said in order to achieve this there was need to put God first and form a new narrative in politics of coalitions, unity of purpose and love.

"As the PDP President, I am humbled by such a big crowd and I know that God has plans for us.  We must put our God first.  We must carry our cross as Zimbabweans and be able to defend our nation.  We would like Mugabe to have a long life so that he can see how country is run when we takeover".

"It is therefore not an accident that we have here for the anniversary celebrations, Zapu, ZimPF and the MDC-T.  Together another Zimbabwe is indeed possible.

"Doing the same things over and over will not get us new results.  We want a new narrative in politics that of coalitions and unity.  We are tired of slogans that achieve nothing.  We have moved to bread and butter issues," he said.

President Biti said it was therefore heartbreaking that Zanu PF had destroyed the industry resulting in millions of people having no jobs.

"Zanu PF has destroyed all jobs.  Betting shops are now the new occupation for thousands of people.  Honestly we cannot play feja feja with the economy.  Neighbouring Zambia has grown to a $40 billion economy over 36 years and us to a mere $14 billion.

"Some 36 years after independence, the government can't pay civil servants salaries with 97% from taxes being used to pay the salaries.  The industry is dead in Bulawayo with factories now churches.  Mugabe has caused so much pain by killing the people's hope," he said.

"We need to transform the economy.  The PDP, can and will create a million jobs.  In PDP, we have people with strategies to save Zimbabwe.  We want to attract billions of dollars in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).  In a new dispensation under PDP, we will have a country full of investment.  We have the necessary international support to bring billions of dollars to Zimbabwe.  We don't want much; we just want change, freedom and a government that loves its people.

"Tajamuka, we no longer want Zanu PF rubbish.  If they are any CIOs (Central Intelligence Organisation) present – go and tell Mugabe that hatichada and hatichatya.  In the PDP, we are fighting for the recognition of human rights and the Constitution among other things.  Our Constitution provides for the right to demonstrate," he said.

President Biti said it was important that there were key reforms including electoral reforms before the 2018 elections.

 "In PDP we are calling for a biometric voters' roll. We are demanding the demilitarization of the electoral process.  We are calling for global observers and for the immediate release of the results.  We are sick and tired of Zanu PF reproducing votes before the publishing of the results," he said, referring to the electoral issues that PDP have enshrined in its ARREST document (Agenda for the Restoration and Rehabilitation of Electoral Sustainability).

He said there was need for transitional justice to address crimes against Zimbabweans.

"Between 1982 and 1987, thousands of people were massacred and this country will never know any peace unless there is transitional justice," said President Biti.

He said the PDP would soon approach the courts to ensure that the devolution is implemented as provided for in the Constitution.

We are going to visit the courts until there is devolution in this country.  There is no country that is develops without devolution and here in Zimbabwe these Zanu PF thieves don't want such".
 
The call for devolution was also emphasised by Zapu President, Dr. Dumiso Dabengwa in his solidarity message at the anniversary.  ZimPF senior officials also gave their solidarity messages.

Civil society organisations that share the same vision as the PDP, which is to deliver another Zimbabwe, were also present to give solidarity messages.

Some of these were the Combined Harare Residents Association, Chitungwiza Residents Association, #Tajamuka, Occupy Africa Unity Square, Zimbabwean Youth Against Corruption, BUYA, Unemployed Youth Organisation and the students' movement body ZINASU.
 
#TogetherAnotherZimbabweIsPossible