MDC wants fresh elections for Zimbabwe

JOHANNESBURG - Fresh elections are the only way to a lasting solution for Zimbabwe, the Movement for Democratic Change in South Africa said on Tuesday.

“We sincerely believe that SADC Southern African Development Community must now shift its attention and start organising the new election sooner than soonest instead of romanticising a loser of election,” said MDC chairman in South Africa Austin Moyo referring to President Robert Mugabe.

He was speaking at a media briefing in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, that was held as South Africa negotiators returned to Harare in a bid to iron out the troubles plaguing Zimbabwe’s unity government.

The team was led by Charles Nqakula, former defence minister and current adviser to President Jacob Zuma.

He was accompanied by “special envoy” Mac Maharaj -- who returned to active politics after retiring as minister in 1999 -- and international relations adviser Lindiwe Zulu.

“This elections should be started by breathing life into a new constitution and electoral Act.

“As President Jacob Zuma’s appointed negotiators are in Zimbabwe today, we hope that this time they will call a spade a spade and not a big spoon,” Moyo said.

He said Mugabe was “neither interested in pursuing the dictates of the Global Political Agreement or upholding the will of the electorate”.

He told of an increase in farm attacks in Zimbabwe and attempts to strip power from Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai by Zanu-PF in the power sharing government.

This was manifest through Mugabe compelling ministers to stop reporting to Tsvangirai. Moyo said Roy Bennet, the MDC national treasurer who was appointed agriculture minister by Tsvangirai, has yet to be sworn in.

Ambassadors appointed by Tsvangirai in five vacant posts had not yet been posted.

The global power-sharing agreement, which will be a year old on Thursday, stated that a new constitution had to be in place before fresh elections could be held.

The agreement stipulated that the constitution should be finalised within 18 months. However, Moyo charged that attempts to finalise the constitution were being frustrated by Zanu-PF.

This was because the current constitution favoured Zanu-PF, Moyo said.

Last month, the committee tasked with drafting the constitution reportedly said the process was on course despite earlier problems caused by a lack of funds.

The committee said while the process was running behind schedule, a draft would be ready to go to a referendum by July.

Zimbabwe’s constitution in its current form dates back to 1979. It allows for the death penalty and reportedly “sweeping powers” for the president.

- Sapa