The thousands of people who were displaced when the Tokwe Mukosi dam flooded in January were moved to a transit camp at Chingwizi were government and non-state partners have battled to provide adequate humanitarian support.
The victims were recently forcibly moved to a farm where they were allocated one hectare plots, instead of the four they were initially promised. “The Zanu (PF) government failed to respond to the needs of the Chingwizi people at time when they needed help most,” Tsvangirai told thouthousands of party supporters gathered here to celebrate the MDC’s 15th anniversary.
He also said MDC would not participate in any elections in future unless all agreed electoral reforms had been implemented to ensure free and fair polls. Tsvangirai said it was useless to talk of any fresh polls without electoral reforms that would ensure that Zimbabweans were given a chance to freely and fairly express themselves in choosing their political leaders.
“We will be wasting time to talk of any fresh polls without electoral forms which are the basis of any credible elections,” said Tsvangirai. “The problem in this country is that we won previous elections but they were stolen from us. We have seen soldiers and chiefs being abused during election time. There are so many reforms that need to be implemented before we go for any future elections, “he added.
His remarks came barely two weeks after his party pulled out of the Chivi ward 14 by-election citing various forms of abuse. As a result Zanu (PF) retained the Chivi council seat unopposed.
Turning to the issue of the economy the MDC leader said no one in the country had a doubt that his party could deliver economic recovery. He said when the party entered into a coalition government with Zanu (PF) in 2009 visible changes happened on the economic front that everyone could see.
“No one has a doubt that we can deliver, “said Tsvangirai. “As a party we are the only source of hope for Zimbabweans since we hold the light in dark tunnel,” he added. “Schools and hospitals are now functioning because of us,” he said.
The MDC’s 15 anniversary was held under the theme “Towards national convergence, mobilising people for change”. Speaking at the same occasion the party’s national chairman Lovemore
Moyo said he was saddened by yet another split which saw former secretary general Tendai Biti and deputy treasure Elton Mangoma parting ways with Tsvangirai. Moyo said it was a big below to the party following an earlier split in 2005 which saw the then secretary general Welshman Ncube also forming his own party.
Moyo called on party supporters present that they should close space for Biti and Mangoma. “It was within their constitutional rights to leave the MDC-T and form their own party but I am calling you to effectively close space for them. “You should not allow them to come and mislead you,” he said.
The anniversary was held amid heavy police presence. Earlier on before proceedings in Mucheke stadium began, riot police had clashed with party supporters who wanted to stage a road show. Nearly all roads leading to Mucheke stadium had a roadblock manned by heavily-armed police.
Post published in: News