The MDCs maintain that security sector and media reforms must be addressed before elections are held. But Zanu (PF) is adamant that they will not and Gumbo told The Zimbabwean “As Zanu (PF) we want the coming SADC summit to endorse the recent Supreme Court ruling on the date and to assist with resources needed to run the election. The summit must recognise that the GPA is approaching its expiry date and the regional block will be engaging with Mugabe as head of state. If other political parties think they can ignore the election date ruling from the Constitutional Court, they are fooling themselves.”
MDC-T spokesperson, Douglas Mwonzora, said the Supreme Court ruling would not be an issue at the summit.
“What is important to us is not the date but the conduciveness of the environment. We want free and fair elections which will be made possible only through media reforms and ensuring a non-violent atmosphere and re-alignment of the security sector as provided for in the new constitution,” said Mwonzora.
The MDC led by Welshman Ncube said it regarded the SADC summit as a continuous and routine engagement with Zimbabwe over the political situation. “SADC cannot change Zimbabwe’s laws, so we are not going to the summit to make noise hoping that the regional body can change our fortunes,” said spokesperson Nhlahla Dube. Zanu Ndoga leader, Gondai Paul Vutuza, said: “Peoples’ views should take centre stage at the summit even if it means compromising on some GPA provisions. What the people want will move Zimbabwe forward.”
Political analyst, Eldred Masunungure said the recent Constitutional Court ruling would dominate everything else and be the decisive factor at the summit.
The Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Exiles Forum, Gabriel Shumba, said “SADC needs to ensure there is a proper acceptance of an electoral result that might be against Zanu (PF)’s interests and talk of the security guys saying they will not accept a result that favours the MDC-T should be taken seriously and the four million Zimbabweans in the Diaspora must be allowed to vote,” said Shumba.
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