The Executive came up with a number of resolutions on the draft Constitution, a review of the state of the party and the performance of its deployees in local councils.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, the MDC Secretary General, Hon. Tendai Biti said the National Executive took stock of the State of the party on its journey to achieving democracy and real change, its performance in government and its relationship with partners in and outside Zimbabwe.
The National Executive was pleased to note that the MDC had fully constituted structures in every ward, district and province of the country despite the challenges it is facing such as the tyranny and dictatorship of Zanu PF and State sponsored violence.
The National Executive was content with the quality of the leadership that was elected into office at its Third National Congress held last year in Bulawayo.
Hon. Biti said the National Executive was happy that the MDC was on course with its resolutions made on 19 March 2006 at the second National Congress held in Harare.
The resolutions included dragging Zanu PF to the negotiating table, the formation of a transitional government which would lead to the stabilisation of the economy, attending to the issues of legislative reforms to enable the holding of free and fair elections, a new people- driven constitution and the country is now at the stage where it has a draft Constitution awaiting a referendum and finally the holding of a free and fair election.
The National Executive also received with great disappointment the amendments made by Zanu PF to the signed draft Constitution.
The leadership analysed each of the chapters amended by Zanu PF and resolved that the amendments should not be considered as they are an insult to the people of Zimbabwe.
It restated the party’s position of endorsing the draft Constitution that was scrutinised by the National Council early this month and said the draft must be subjected to a referendum and the people of Zimbabwe must exercise their right of saying Yes or No.
The National Executive members also got the opportunity to look at the party’s economic policy document (JUICE) which addresses issues of Jobs, Upliftment, Investment Capital and Ecology. The Executive agreed that the document is the best answer to Zanu PFs crazy and suicidal policies.
The leadership noted that the major challenge faced by Zimbabwe is lack of jobs and direct foreign investment, elements that are ably captured in the JUICE policy document.
The JUICE document, which will be launched in September, bears testimony to the people of Zimbabwe that the MDC is the only legitimate alternative to a democratic and prosperous Zimbabwe.
The National Executive also received from the deputy secretary general, Dr. Tapiwa Mashakada, a report on a commission that investigated the state of the 10 MDC-led councils operations. The commission was set up in March this year.
Dr Mashakada said The National Executive was happy with the performance of the MDC-run councils, especially in areas of water provision and refuse collection considering that in 2008 under the Zanu PF administration, service delivery had completely collapsed but expressed concern on the interference by Minister of Local Government Ignatius Chombo in the running of local authorities.
The National Executive noted that road maintenance in local councils was poor and said that this was as a result of the Zimbabwe National Road Authority (Zinara) taking all the revenue for motor vehicles and remitting little if anything to the councils for road maintenance.
The Executive noted corruption taking place in some ouncils and how some senior council officials especially the town clerks triggered this disease.
The National Executive endorsed the report that calls for the dismissal of 12 councillors who will be communicated to in due course. The party will summon thirteen other councillors for warning and cautioned statements.
Dr. Mashakada said the expulsions were a clear sign that the MDC does not condone any form of corruption and will not sweep it under the carpet. Similar audits will be done on ministers from the MDC and other party deployees in government.
The National Executive however, commended the impressive performances in some councils such as Bulawayo, Chinhoyi and Gokwe.
On another note, the MDC National Executive will be celebrating its 13th anniversary on the 29th of September 2012 at the White City Stadium in Bulawayo.
This year’s celebrations will be held under the banner; “MDC @13 The Last Mile:Towards Real Transformation"
Post published in: News