This Ministry of Justice should have been responsible for this – but as far as we know nothing has been done.
Progress has been paralysed by the inertia in government to deal with laws that restrict our freedoms. It seems most legislators while away the time in their plush offices arguing about who is be buried at some cemetery in Harare.
There is now much talk of elections next year next year is only three months away. But the GNU has failed to deal with a long list of issues promised in the GPA. These include the all-important re-registration of voters, the reform of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and the amendment of the mis-named Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, which effectively denies Zimbabweans their right to freedom of expression and access to information.
What we expect from other MPs now is their unqualified support for Goneses brave initiative to restore Zimbabweans right to assembly and to ensure that it becomes law. This freedom is fundamental in any democratic society, and without it no free and fair election will be possible.
We encourage other MPs to follow Goneses example. Zanu (PF) will not amend AIPPA it is not part of their plan. MDC should use its numbers in Parliament to bring in laws that will foster democracy.
MDC MPs should seize the initiative time is running out.
In addition to AIPPA, serious attention should be given to a bill making it illegal for board members and staff of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to belong to any political party, and stopping the various parties from interfering with the work of the commission or its staff.
The appalling report in this issue from Marondera about ZEC staff being trained by the CIO highlights Zanu (PF)s intentions in this regard. The MDC should use its presence in Parliament to deal with this kind of thing. The people of Zimbabwe expect this Government of National Unity to implement what they signed up to. If they cant even implement their own agreement, it is incumbent upon individual members of parliament to hold them to account.
Post published in: Editor: Wilf Mbanga