“Zanu (PF) has thrown spanners into the works for far too long and it is time the SADC took a stand and reined them in. The only way we can be able to make a proper return home would be after we have held free and fair elections that bring to power a government loved by the people,” said Khumbulani Hlabangana
Busani Bhalagwe, the Zapu spokesman for South Africa, said the SADC should ensure that all agreed principles are adhered to. “We also need to put an end to violence and intimidation so that all political parties get a chance to campaign and the electorate is allowed to choose leaders as it pleases. There must also be a complete overhaul and clean-up of the voters’ roll to avoid cases of rigging.” MDC-T provincial chairman for South Africa, Kwanele Moyo, called for key reforms to be implemented without any more delays. “We are very happy with the July 31 date, but all key reforms agreed to in the GPA must be implemented first,” said Moyo.
“Journalists must be allowed to do their work without fear of being arrested for publishing certain stories and writing about certain parties or individuals. There must also be security sector reforms that will confine soldiers and the police to their barracks and restrict their daily activities to serving and protecting the people of Zimbabwe, not the interests of one political party.”
The exiles were also not happy with the constitution of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, which they said was still full of members of the Central Intelligence Organisation and other Zanu (PF) apologists.
They called on the SADC to send its observers to Zimbabwe immediately, where they should stay for up to three months after the elections, while also calling for international observers to be allowed into the country.
Post published in: News