Tsvangirai made the remarks soon after casting his vote during the constitutional referendum at Chaminuka Primary School in St Mary’s, Chitungwiza.
The MDC-T leader, who received a rousing welcome from his party supporters gathered at the school, arrived at around 10.30am in the company of his wife, Elizabeth Macheka, and other senior MDC-T officials who included the party’s National Organising Secretary, Nelson Chamisa.
He described the holding of the constitutional referendum as an important step for Zimbabwe.
“We have just exercised one of the most important steps since the constitution process was launched. What is important is that Zimbabweans are not outsourcing their destiny to anyone else.
“The coming in of a new constitution will bring a new political dispensation which we hope will help address the culture of impunity that has been prevalent in Zimbabwe,” said Tsvangirai.
He expressed optimism that the new constitution would bring down political violence that had resulted in the loss of lives since 2000.
He added: “To those that have died, we say rest in peace, but we would like to highlight that this constitution-making process is an important stage that will go a long way in shaping the political future of this country.”
Even though there was frenzy at Chaminuka Primary School because of news of Tsvangirai coming to vote there, most Chitungwiza polling stations visited by The Zimbabwean recorded poor turnout marked by short queues of about six people at any given time.
A police broadcast indicated that about 400 people had voted in Chitungwiza by 10.00 am.
However, as soon as he left, people started to disperse with only few individuals coming to cast their votes.
A polling officer stationed at a polling station in Zengeza 2 who declined to be named said: “Although people started coming as early as 6.00am the number that we have recorded here is very low. Maybe the situation will improve as the day progresses but as of now, very few people are coming to vote.”
Post published in: News