In a statement, ZEF’s chairperson, Gabriel Shumba, poured scorn on the report carried by a state controlled daily, saying the claims were merely meant to divert attention from civil rights activist, Itai Dzamara, and other atrocities committed by the government.
The report alleged that Shumba was working with MDC-T, Mavambo and civil society organisations that had formed a committee to make Zimbabwe ungovernable.
Human rights defenders have, on the other hand, been calling for national convergence to solve the current socio-economic-political problems.
The programme is led by Sebastian Bakare, a bishop who has been critical of the Zanu (PF) government.
Shumba said there was nothing criminal “or inherently wrong in calling for national convergence to clean up the mess that some elements in Zanu (PF) have made of the once beautiful country (Zimbabwe)”.
There is also nothing wrong for citizens of Zimbabwe to call for free and fair elections. Indeed, it is a good thing if this call is made by all and sundry, including those from Zanu (PF). That would be real national convergence and as diasporans, we are not averse to any discussion that seeks to redeem our country and restore it for the better.
“Only those who are virulently unpatriotic would be against such an idea. However, as Zimbabwe Exiles Forum (ZEF), we wish to place it on record that we are more inclined to work with progressive forces under the rubric of Bishop Bakare’s call. As such, we are therefore amazed at the allegation that we have been subsumed under an
organization called ZimFirst when we are an independent, apolitical organization that has been in operation since 2003,” said Shumba.
He is practising as an advocate in South Africa.
Post published in: Africa News