We have always known that what Mugabe says has no bearing on what Mugabe does. The total disregard shown towards the new Constitution, that so many Zimbabweans worked tirelessly to produce, is yet another reminder of this.
Using the powers afforded to the President through a temporary measures act, Mugabe has gazetted amendments to the electoral laws governing elections. This is a flagrant breach of the Constitution and will not be accepted.
There have been four clear and inexcusable breaches of the Constitution, electoral laws and the SADC-brokered GPA, and we will now begin the process of contesting this on three issues:
One, it is a complete breach of the election date consultation required by the 8th schedule of the new Constitution. Two, it circumvents Parliament and is a total abuse of the Presidential Powers. Three, the Constitution clearly mandates a 30-day voter registration and inspection period. There is now not time, once the 28 day post-registration auditing process has taken place, for this to be conducted by July 31.
Mugabe’s unilateral proclamation is a classic dictatorial assault on the rights and freedoms of the people of Zimbabwe. However, despite this, I remain optimistic about the result of upcoming elections.
It is well known within Zimbabwe that this ploy by Mugabe represents the last throw of the dice for a toppling regime. They know they have lost the people, they know their intimidation tactics will no longer work and they know their time is up.
Already you are seeing a number of senior Zanu (PF) members squirreling away their ill-gotten gains. We know that businesses are putting in place plans for a transfer of power and we know that on the streets of Harare a growing expectation of change is spreading. The long awaited turning of the tide is upon us, and Mugabe’s proclamation is simply one more surmountable hurdle for us to clear.
I have been somewhat encouraged by the developments and signs from SADC. I know SA President Jacob Zuma will not be manipulated and will take a strong stance. It is as much in South Africa’s interest to have a stable and prosperous Zimbabwe as it is in our own, given that so many of our people are now working and living in that country.
If Zuma can help create an environment in which Zimbabweans can prosper in their own country again, then the vast majority of these migrants would return. And we would welcome them home as we will need a strong and skilled labour force to carry out the developments we plan.
So while it is obviously a disappointment to see our new Constitution being disregarded by the man who signed it into being, we see his action for what it is: a desperate move, by a desperate man who knows he has run out of time.
Post published in: News