Mutambara urges gvt to reform to have sanctions lifted

Delivering his first speech in the House of Assembly, Mutambara said
the inclusive government should first improve its image to the
international community by stopping the farm invasions and returning
the rule of law.

Those sanctions were imposed on us by things that we do – like farm
invasions, abductions and the breakdown of the rule of law. People have
perceptions about governance in Zimbabwe, so we should do something to
correct these perceptions,' Mutambara said.

Donors remain sceptical about Robert Mugabe's commitment to change and
have withheld the much needed funds to kick start the country's
economy. Most of the Western donors are not prepared to allow resources
to flow into the country because of the number of issues that still
need urgent reform – the freeing of the media, observance of property
rights and the rule of law.

Meanwhile, the venue for the forthcoming South African Development
Community (SADC) summit of heads of state and government has now
changed from Cape Town to Mbabane, Swaziland next week Monday.

The summit has been convened to consider an economic recovery aid
package for Zimbabwe. The SADC summit will be preceded by a meeting
this Sunday of the SADC Council of Ministers, chaired by South African
Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, to process reports to be
considered by the heads of state and government.

With respect to Zimbabwe, the SADC Finance Ministers had met recently
in Cape Town, where they made recommendations to the SADC Council of
Ministers, regarding the economic recovery plan for Zimbabwe.

Accordingly, the SADC Council of Ministers will present a report on the
economic recovery plan to the SADC heads of state for approval by the
summit. Analysts hope this will lead to South Africa opening a credit
line to help Zimbabwe rebuild its shattered economy after years of
political and economic crisis.

SWRadio Africa