The premier, who is now in his second week in office since his
inauguration on February 11, was also angered by the unilateral
appointemnt to substantive posts of permanent secreatries on Tuesday.
He said that was not in accordance with provisions of the Global
Political Agreement signed on September 15 by President Mugabe, himself
and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara.
In an uncompromising mood, Tsvangirai said: "Yesterday (Tuesday)’s
appointment of permanent secretaries is in contravention of both the
Global Political Agreement and Constitutional Amendment Number 19,
which states that all such appointments cam only be done with the
agreement between the Prime Minister and the President."
He quoted the Article 20.1.7 of the Eight Schedule which states that:
"The parties agree that with respect to occupants of senior government
positions, such as permanent secretaries and ambassadors, the
leadership on government, comprising the President, the Vice
Presidents, the deputy prime ministers will consult and agree on such
prior to their appointment."
Tsvangirai said no civil servant has the authority to make such
appointements or announcements. "Therefore, the announcement of
permanent secretaries has no force of law and is therefore null and
void, Tsvangirai said. "The permanent secretaries who were in position
as of September 15 will remain in their posts in an acting capacity until the matter is
resolved. This government will not allow any unconstitutional or
unilateral actions which serve to impede progress and suggest the
presence of a parallel force within the government."
By this he was making suttle reference to Cabinet Secretary Misheck
Sibanda who is seems to be at loggerheads with Tsvangirai’s chief of
staff Ian Makone.
Then he turned his blazing guns on hardliners saying: "The rule of law
continues to be flouted by some sectors of the community and this must
stop immediately. In particular, the new wave of illegal land
invasions, in contravention of the Memorandum of Understanding, are
undermining our ability to revive our agricultural sector and restore
investor confidence."
The premier said he had deployed the two Ministers of Home Affairs
Giles Mutsekwa and Kembo Mohadi to deal with the culprits who continue
to act with impunity.
With respect to political detainees that include his deputy minister
for agriculture-designate Roy Bennett and human rights activist Jestina
Mukoko, Tsvangirai said he met Mugabe and Mutambara last week and
agreed that they be released on bail.
Tsvangirai said: "The principlas of the GPA met…last week and agreed
that all political detainees who have been formally charged with a
crime be released on bail and those that have not been charged should
be released unconditionally. This has not happened.
"Indeed, rather than allowing the judicial process to take its course
with regard to the granting of bail, the Attorney General’s Office is
wilfully obstructing the release of all detainees by abusing the appeal
process and this must stop forthwith."
Tsvangirai said he would look into to the issue of overlapping duties
between ministries which has become a bone of contention with
Information Minister Webster Shamu already clashing with Information
Communications Minister Nelson Chamisa.
He said it was important for the appointments of the Governor of the
Reserve Bank Gideon Gono and that of AG Johannes Tomana be dealt with
and resolved immediately in line with provisions of the GPA.
The issue of provincial governors is still outstanding. "As long as
these matters remain unresolved, it will be impossible for the
transitional government to move forward with the reforms that this
country so desperately needs."