Deputy Prime Minister, Arthur Mutambara on Wednesday said the two MDC formations have no power to stop continued abuses of power by ZANU PF, and said the parties have no control in the unity government.Mutambara, who was speaking at a Commercial Farmers Union (CFU) congress on Wednesday, said the MDCs efforts to influence positive change in Zimbabwe were being frustrated by ZANU PF loyalists fervently opposed to the coalition with the MDC.
You can see that we are not in full control. We are not exactly in charge. There are other forces in control, Mutambara said. If my own MPs are being locked up over a cell phone and I am Prime Minister. Am I (in control)?
He was referring to legislators from the Morgan Tsvangirai led MDC who are continually being arrested and some convicted on a range of charges ranging from rape, electoral fraud, to kidnapping and inciting public violence. These include Deputy Youth Minister, Thamsanqa Mahlangu who was released on bail Monday after spending a week in custody on charges of stealing a cellphone belonging to controversial war veterans leader, Joseph Chinotimba.
Mutambara, in response to questions by farmers about the ongoing land attacks, said the fresh farm invasions were damaging Zimbabwes efforts to attract fresh investment into the country. He called for a moratorium on fresh farm invasions and on the prosecution of farmers who have been charged for remaining in their land. Mutambara said offer letters, which were given after last years elections were not genuine, as there was no legitimate government to preside over the affairs of the country.
Any offer letter signed by (then lands and resettlement Minister, Didymus) Mutasa or whoever between June 27, and 11 February is fraudulent and illegal, Mutambara said.
Mutambara further rubbished the ZANU PF position not to abide by last years SADC Tribunal ruling, which barred the government from further repossessing land from the largely white commercial farmer community under the land reform programme. He said Zimbabwe could not choose which SADC decisions to follow, and which to ignore.
The SADC tribunal is a tribunal of our regional body. We believe the Zimbabwe government must come to terms with the recommendations and decisions of our regional body, Mutambara said.