The top diplomat’s statements come in the wake of pronouncements by Patrick Chinamasa, Zanu (PF) Justice Minister and party negotiator and Rugare Gumbo, Zanu (PF) spokesperson, that there would be a revolt by securocrats and war veterans if Morgan Tsvangirai and his party won the next elections.
In the early years of the MDC-T, several generals threatened to stage a coup in the event that Zanu (PF) was dislodged from power. Zanu (PF) accuses Tsvangirai and his party of being agents of western governments bent on toppling Mugabe, an accusation that the MDC has repeatedly refuted.
Breaching SADC guidelines
“I think it is amazing that people from any political party would say there will be a military coup because it is against the AU and SADC guidelines. It is important for the army, the police force and civil service to support whoever the people choose in the upcoming elections to be their leader,” said Neuhaus.
He added that Africa was moving into its third generation of leadership despite having faced challenges in the development of democracy in the past.
“It is encouraging that we are moving into third generation African leadership. I see the growth of many political parties and the progress that it is bringing to Africa,” he said.
The diplomat commended the Government of National Unity for mending sour relations between Zimbabwe and Australia.
“Following the land invasions and human rights abuses that happened in the last decade, relations between the two countries soured, but the GNU here was a very positive move.
“The GNU allowed us to provide assistance in areas like water and sanitation, restoring agribusiness, helping African farmers and extending help to the health sector. Ever since the GNU, we have put at least $150m into the country,” he said.
President Robert Mugabe’s party embarked on a violent takeover of farms owned by white commercial farmers from 2000, ejecting close to 5,000 plot holders.
Scaring investors
Neuhaus said the country’s indigenisation policy, forcing foreign owned companies to cede 51 percent of their shares to locals, was the wrong approach in a globalised world, as it was scaring away potential investors.
“The indigenisation policy is discriminatory and racist, which is discouraging the Australian investor. The truth is, capital to resuscitate the economy can only be found in international markets. A lot still needs to be done to encourage foreign investment.
“A lot of people are waiting to see the election outcome. A positive result will aid business in the long term. There are Australian investors who have been harassed in the courts in recent times because they had problems with their local partners,” said the ambassador.
He called on the government to encourage Zimbabweans in the Diaspora to invest locally to boost the economy. “We have a number of Zimbabweans in Australia who are doing very well.
I think it is important to encourage them to invest back home. This is where the issue of citizenship comes in, people should be allowed to have dual citizenship,” he added.
He dismissed the allegation that Australia was funding regime change processes in Zimbabwe.
“Australian aid is not for regime change. We have seen the regime led by President Robert Mugabe, but we came and distributed aid. If we had an agenda, we would not be assisting Zimbabwe. Change in leadership is important and very normal. It is part of democratic development. However, it is not for Australia to tell Zimbabwe when to change and who to change,” he added.
Post published in: News