PCC offers vision for new Zim

Ibbo Mandaza

The members of the PCC are participating in their individual capacities, not representing any political party or civic body.

The PCC hereby offers a vision for the manner in which Zimbabwe may avoid collapse and move to an acceptable political and socio-economic environment. Here we wish to acknowledge the very comprehensive and sober reflections of the combined churches of Zimbabwe in their 2015 re-statement of the “Zimbabwe We Want”. We believe that the views of the churches contained in this statement reflect comprehensively the views of the vast majority of Zimbabweans. We recognise the multiple initiatives of the churches, political parties and civics to address the crisis, including references to a national transitional authority (NTA).

Thus, today we present our vision for the way forward.

The document that we make public today does not seek to give a detailed analysis of the enormous ills that afflict the country. We believe that these are well understood by Zimbabweans, many of whom are publicly protesting. Hence we believe that it is important to propose a way forward and to create a sense of optimism in the country that a new Zimbabwe can come into being.
We are of the opinion that no election in the current political climate, whether called early or in 2018, can resolve the deep structural deficits in the state; and, in any event, no election without considerable reform of the state and the creation of a level playing field, can possibly lead to a legitimate outcome.

We are also of the opinion that a government of national unity, in which all elected political parties participate, similarly will not resolve the crisis. The lessons of the GPA and the Inclusive Government are fresh in the minds of all, and the absence of any genuine will to reform the state doomed that initiative. In particular, and in the polarised nation that is Zimbabwe, we believe that no substantial reform of state institutions will be possible when one party owns the allegiance of all state institutions.

We are finally of the opinion that the endless discussion about successions will offer no solution either. We note the recent statement by the former freedom fighters in this regard, but successions merely change the players within parties or the government. There is little or no prospect of this leading to the kinds of political reform that will be fundamental to the vision of a new Zimbabwe. The political game does not need new players, but new rules and referees, and successions will merely be methods of pre-empting reform.

Thus, we are of the view that only a National Transitional Authority (NTA), underwritten by the citizenry, the churches, the civics and the political parties, will be able to lead us through a period of key reform and economic stabilisation to genuine elections, and finally a legitimate government. We note the other initiatives here, but submit that only the NTA, free of any political party control, comprised of credible and non-partisan Zimbabweans, will be capable of honouring the vision of a new Zimbabwe.

Thus, we table here today the views of the PCC. We hope for the widest possible discussions about the National Transitional Authority (NTA), in the nation, in the region, and in the international arena.  The National Transitional Authority is, as its name suggests, an initiative of the nation as a whole, does not belong to any partisan group, requires the mandate of the people, and needs to be endorsed and supported by SADC, the AU and the wider international community.

Ibbo Mandaza

Thoko Matshe

Temba Dlodlo

Briggs Bomba

Colleta Chitsike

Luckson Kandemiiri

Janah Ncube

Tony Reeler

Gift Dzvova

Reg Austin

Rudo Gaidzanwa

Derek Matyszak

Otto Saki

Ray Motsi

Daniel Ndlela

Brian Kagoro

Trevor Ncube

Brian Raftopolous

Sabelo Ndlovu-Gatsheni

Elinor Sisulu

Judith Todd

Tendai Murisa