Senior security personnel such as Army Commander, Constantine Chiwenga, Prisons Commissioner Paradzayi Zimhondi, Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri and Major General Douglas Nyikayaramba have on numerous occasions vowed to block the MDC-T from assuming power even if the party wins in an election. They have also declared their open support for Zanu (PF) while urging their subordinates to ensure a resounding victory for the party in the next elections.
It also recommended that an inter-ministerial committee be appointed to deal with the implementation of media reforms and the monitoring of hate speech.
The regional body also said its facilitation team should sit in the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee and not merely receive reports on the political situation. JOMIC is the principal body dealing with issues of compliance and monitoring of the Global Political Agreement which gave birth to the Government of National Unity in 2009.
It also recommended that Parliament ensure that amendments to laws such as the Public Order and Security Act, Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Broadcasting Act were implemented before elections.
Both MDC parties, Mavambo/Kusile Dawn and ZAPU are all agreed that the SADC recommendations are an important game-changer and provide an ideal opportunity to rein in Zanu (PF’s) big brother attitude that has of late stood in the way of important reforms necessary for the holding of credible elections.
They have vowed to keep SADC abreast of developments to ensure all concerned parties in the next elections toe the line. Earlier this month, the parties entered into a grand coalition to voice their concerns at the Constitutional Court ruling that elections be held before July 31.
The SADC summit ordered Mugabe to go back to the Constitutional Court to seek at least a two week delay before elections are held. MDC-T spokesperson, Douglas Mwonzora, said his party would be upping the pressure on Zanu (PF) to accede to the need for the implementation of security sector and media reforms.
Mwonzora said the recommendations should be implemented first as a way of acknowledging the regional body’s role in conferring legitimacy to the poll outcome. “The issue of media reforms is important as it will make sure that all the contestants have access to the media, especially state media, during the elections. The MDC will insist through cabinet that the media laws be brought to Parliament. We will also insist that the rule of law be observed,” he said, adding that the MDC-T would push for a code of conduct that would be binding on all security chiefs.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition Director, Macdonald Lewanika, said Civil Society Organisations would be tightly monitoring progress on the implementation of reforms ahead of the elections while keeping SADC updated on the situation.
Political analyst Rejoice Ngwenya said the summit had managed to check Zanu (PF)’s machinations. “It has given SADC support to the stance taken by the other parties, and indicates that it will support whatever they decide to do, even if it means boycotting the elections. So either way, Mugabe loses,” he said.
Post published in: News