Parliamentary orderlies had indicted to the media on Monday that Prime
Minister Tsvangirai would be outlining achievements by Zimbabwe’s
power-sharing government as well as problems that continue to dog the
three month-old administration.
The PM had been scheduled to address parliament at 2:30pm on Tuesday
but enquiries with both the Parliament public relations department and
the Prime Minister Officer by The Zimbabwean revealed the address had
been shelved to next Tuesday.
"The PM address is now next week when the 100-days end," said James Maridadi.
A parliamentary official in the PR department, speaking anonymously as
he is not allowed to speak to the media, also confirmed the
postponement of the PM’s address to parliament.
"I have just been informed by the PM ‘s office that the address is now off until next Tuesday," he said.
Initially, Tsvangirai – who agreed last February to join long time
rival President Robert Mugabe in government in a power-sharing deal
brokered by former South African President Thabo Mbeki — was scheduled
to address Parliament on Tuesday but this was shifted as he will be
attending the weekly Cabinet meeting that takes place on the same day.
The inclusive government set itself five goals, which had to be
achieved within the first 100 days of the administration. Tsvangirai
would be reaching his 100 days in office next week Friday.
Goals the former opposition party expected to have achieved after 100
days in government included restoration of basic services within
municipalities, ending food shortages, restoration of basic freedoms
and rights, rebuilding relations with the international community and
restoring the rule of law and property rights.
Speaking from South Africa where he had gone to attend the inauguration
of that country’s new President Jacob Zuma, Tsvangirai said the unity
government remained on the right track despite a host of outstanding
issues and other problems that on many occasions have threatened to
derail the administration.
Among outstanding issues, include the issue of senior public officials
such as provincial governors, permanent secretaries and diplomats, the
governor of the central bank and the Attorney General.
Ends
Farari Shoko
Post published in: News