Civic groups and MDC dismiss Mugabe call for March elections

Posted by on Monday, November 5, 2012 in MDC-T, Zimbabwe politics | 21 comments

Robert Mugabe greets supporters

By Tererai Karimakwenda
05 November 2012

The three political parties in the Government of National Unity (GNU) are headed for a deadlock over the date for the next harmonised elections, following more statements by Robert Mugabe that the elections would be in March next year, with or without a new constitution.

Mugabe made the comments at the ZANU PF headquarters in Harare on Saturday, where he launched the 2012/2013 Presidential Well Wishers Special Agricultural Inputs Scheme. He also announced that his party would reveal their position on the COPAC draft constitution next week.

The election date has already been rejected by the MDC formations and civic groups in the country, who say more time is needed to implement key reforms that were agreed to in the Global Political Agreement (GPA). Facilitated by regional leaders, the GPA laid out the roadmap towards elections and a new constitution is part of it.

The COPAC draft has already been adopted by the MDC formations and civic groups, who are pushing for a YES vote at the referendum. But ZANU PF have been pushing for a NO vote, insisting the draft does not represent what Zimbabweans want.

Mugabe further complicated matters at the 2nd All Stakeholders Conference last month. In his address to delegates he said the principals would have the final word on the draft constitution. Mugabe also repeated this when he opened the fifth session of parliament last week.

Thabani Nyoni from the Crisis Coalition, which represents 350 member organisations, told SW Radio Africa that there is a general consensus among the groups that the environment in Zimbabwe is not conducive to holding elections. He said no talk of elections should even begin before the key reforms, agreed on by the political parties, are implemented.

“We feel that this talk of elections is part of that process of frustrating the progress in making key reforms because people are being perpetually subjected to an electioneering mode, which does not allow sober engagement or critical reforms to take place,” Nyoni explained.

Regarding Mugabe’s comments that the principals have the last word, Nyoni said: “We had problems initially with the constitutional process being moved from people to parliament. We have even more problems with it being moved from parliament to executive. We feel that it is an affront to the ideals of constitutional participation in Zimbabwe.”

Seiso Moyo, the MDC-T secretary for elections, agreed. But he told SW Radio Africa that he doubts that Robert Mugabe would hijack the process, since he and the other party leaders were consulted throughout the negotiating process and gave their consent to what was agreed on.

“The people have spoken and they will speak again at the referendum. So I don’t see how at this stage the principals can all of a sudden become the people and go against the draft. It is already a negotiated document. The principals had their input and they provided leadership to the negotiators,” Moyo said.

Both Nyoni and Moyo dismissed the March date for elections that Mugabe has repeated, saying there needs to be a drastic change in the atmosphere on the ground and legislative changes that help create that environment. Both agreed March is too early.

  • Chimbwido Warvet

    It is a joke. Mugabe can call for elections on a date he determines in terms of the constitution in current force. In the absence of a new constitution, the Lancaster House Constitution is the one in current force. There is absolutely nothing that should stop the Head of State and Government to use his constitutional powers to call for elections in March 2013. The majority of Zimbabweans want it now, but early next year will just be right.

    • david taylor

      OK, who says the majority of Zimbabweans want elections now? You? The Herald? Mugabe?

      I know ZANU-PF desperately wants elections now, but that does not mean the majority of Zimbabweans do.

      You sound as if you should work at the Herald spewing out ZANU-PF propaganda.

      • Chimbwido Warvet

        A recent study that has been conducted in Zimbabwe clearly indicates that the majority of Zimbabweans are now ready for the forthcoming general elections. If your home is In Zimbabwe, you should be acquainted with my well informed view above. Elections now or early next is the slogan in Zimbabwe at present.

        • super mondo

          they want zanu gone.iam told by many elders

        • david taylor

          You are dreaming, mate. There has been no such study! Good try!

    • super mondo

      you have said you are returning to zim in march.lol prepare for the delapidation and stench that has been caused since 1980.oh and also prepare to stay for 3 months for the elections.hahaha

      • Chimbwido Warvet

        If you believe what is peddled by SW Radio Africa, you can believe anything, including the highly improbable story of the so-called MDC-T Treasurer who is alleged to have been attacked by ZANU PF cadres. To cut the long story short, I have never left my country of birth since 1980. I have no reason in doing so, for everything here is fine for me. It could be better were it not the unjustified and illegal economic sanctions that have been imposed against my people.

  • http://www.facebook.com/kmutsinze Kossam Mutsinze

    Oh Gosh, is it or not Ahhh

  • Yepec

    Zimbabweans have lost track of Mugabe’s pies (wishes) in the sky. What number is this latest one? If ever, he was a bookmaker, he would be broke by now and anybody who takes him seriously, does so at their own risk.

  • wilbert_mukori

    Prime Minister Tsvangirai and Professor Ncube have known throughout
    the three and half years it took to draft this Copac constitution that it was
    too weak and feeble to end Zimbabwe’s culture of political violence and to
    guarantee free and fair elections. And the reason the two MDC parties are
    insisting that having the Copac draft endorsed after the referendum is not
    enough, the raft of agreed democratic reforms, including security sector
    reforms, must be implemented too before fresh elections are held.

    The truth is that all these reforms should have been
    implemented by now and, more significantly, all these reforms should be founded
    in law. In other words all these reforms should have been included in the Copac
    draft and not left out.

    Mugabe has successful resisted carrying out any of the
    reforms for these last four years and will no doubt do so for another three to
    eight months – even if elections are delayed to June or October 2013. The
    tyrant has already said the will be no more reforms.

    MDC’s strategy of appease Mugabe by accepting a feeble Copac
    constitution whilst pushing through a separate and parallel exercise of reforms
    has completely misfired. It was not only ill advised but downright stupid.

    The only way to salvage the situation now is for the nation
    to reject this Copac rubbish in the upcoming referendum. If the media reforms
    had been carried through, if MDC had not dropped the ball, then one would be
    confident ordinary Zimbabweans will realize this Copac draft is rubbish and
    vote accordingly. Sadly Mugabe still has the struggle hold on the public media
    and so the only way ordinary Zimbabweans will know they are being conned is if
    MDC admit they are lying about this Copac draft ending the violence, etc.

    The important question is: is there anyone is left MDC, now
    that they are members of the countries’ privileged ruling elite and fellow
    travellers on the gravy train, with some grain of human integrity left to own
    up and admit Copac draft is rubbish?

    Mugabe is lying; Zimbabwe cannot hold fresh elections if the
    Copac draft is rejected in the referendum. Whilst Mugabe can lie that the
    reforms have been implemented he cannot do so about the new constitution when
    the people have just rejected his Copac rubbish. The reforms and the new
    constitution were imposed by SADC to stop a repeat of the orgy of violence and
    lawlessness that took place in the 2008 elections. If Mugabe is allowed to hold
    elections without a new constitution what guarantees will there be that the
    same violence will not be repeated particularly when his Copac draft
    constitution is rejected for these very reasons.

    By voting NO to the Copac draft Zimbabweans will put
    Chipangano gangsters out of business, derail the gravy train and, most
    important of all, they will defy and silence Mugabe once and for all!

    • http://www.facebook.com/kmutsinze Kossam Mutsinze

      You can not be someone who is known for being irrelevant and off-topic most of the time. Here Mugabe is talking about calling for elections in March 2013 and has not even raised the COPAC initiative in his discourse because it has nothing to do with the holding of elections next year. Whether or not the people of Zimbabwe reject the COPAC draft constitution, that will not stop Mugabe in calling for elections when he deems fit because he already has the constitutional powers to call for elections any day and night of the year.

      You also raise an interesting question of the agreement reached between Mugabe and leaders of the MDC formations. Once again, this is their agreements which does not bind the country but only the signatories to the GPA. I for one does not give a damn about their agreement which can not be used by Tsvangirai or Ncube to put the country at ransom during an election year. Quite frankly, I do not care about the so-called GPA but care more about what our constitution says as it is the only document that binds the entire country and not any other stupid document for that matter.

      The rejection of the COPAC initiative will mean nothing to the people of Zimbabwe as the country will simply revert to the constitution in current force which gives enormous powers to Robert Mugabe., which is the Lancaster House Constitution, with all its imperfections the people of Zimbabwe want to get rid of if they vote yes to the COPAC initiative.

      • wilbert_mukori

        The Lancaster House Constitution (LHC) was amended to allow the formation of the GNU and incoperate the GPA. The LHC did not have the position of Prime Minister, for example, until it amendment in 2009! The amended LHC calls of the GNU to write a new constitution and once it is approved in a referendum hold fresh elections. Mugabe cannot just brush aside the GPA as if it has never existed and get away with it. He can try but, trust me, he will not get away with it!

        • http://www.facebook.com/kmutsinze Kossam Mutsinze

          Agreed, but he still retains the constitutional powers to call for elections when he deems fit. This provision has not been amended at all, Wilbert.
          It is a yes again that the amended Lancaster House Constitution calls the government of national unity to write a new constitution but in its absence the old constitution prevails, with all it imperfections.

          • wilbert_mukori

            No you are wrong Mugabe had the power and authority to dissolve parliament and call new elections in the LHC but not after it was amended to for the GNU. The agreement, granted than authority to the principals; Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara.
            The LHC was accepted as having failed to stop the orgy of violence of 2008 and therefore reverting to the same failed constitution is to accept a repeat of the orgy of violence.
            The single most important thing that the reforms and the new constitution was supposed to deliver at the end of the day which is what SADC guaranteed is free and fair elections free of violence. The people are rejecting this Copac draft precisely because it is not going to deliver free elections, etc.
            Whilst MDC accept that Copac is feeble and weak, they thought they could still deliver the free elections through reforms which the party has failed to push through. If MDC leaders had an sense then they would acknowledge having a robust constitution is the only way out now and therefore they should should change tact and reject this Copac rubbish.
            The increasing cases of violence across the country is forcing people to realise the new constitution will not stop the violence, The penny is dropping; many people will see the sense of voting NO!

          • http://www.facebook.com/kmutsinze Kossam Mutsinze

            Read the amended constitution again and note the enormous powers Robert Mugabe still possesses. What you have alluded to above, is what the new constitution aspires to achieve but will only be realized when it has been written and signed into law by Robert Mugabe as the incumbent Head of State and Government. Wilbert, be careful what you wish for. The reality on the ground is that Mugabe’s constitutional powers are still very much the same as before and have not changed even a millimeter. Your misunderstanding of the laws of your country is your downfall, Wilbert. It is no wonder you are encouraging your constituency to vote no to the referendum of the COPAC initiative. It clearly shows your shallow understanding of the issues at stake.

          • wilbert_mukori

            You should not mistake Tsvangirai’s blundering incompetency for Mugabe power. If Mugabe lose this upcoming referendum on the Copac draft then he will have no choice but to accept to go back to the drawing board. He knows that this time he will not be able to boss anyone around and impose his will.

            Trust me, if this Copac draft is thrown out, Mugabe and Zanu PF are finished!

          • http://www.facebook.com/kmutsinze Kossam Mutsinze

            Your understanding of issues at stake are bewildering Wilbert. Mugabe is not going to spend sleepless nights over the Copac draft constitution if it is thrown off the window. If anything, that is what he would prefer as the constitution in current use gives him more powers to govern the land and to call for elections as and when they fall due or when he wants. The COPAC initiative tends to curtail some of his constitutional powers he used to enjoy for the last 30 years. Like I said before, the people of Zimbabwe have a choice and that is to maintain the status quo or to vote for change.

          • wilbert_mukori

            If the Copac rubbish is thrown out of the window it will be because it gives Mugabe too much power – the power to use violence and other undemocratic means to win elections.

            Yes Copac has trimmed some of Mugabe’s other dictatorial powers; he will now serve a maximum of ten years, for example. Big deal, the man is sick and can hardly stay awake or walk; he is certainly not going to lose sleep over that.

            Once this Copac rubbish is thrown out of the window a new constitution will have to be drafted and this time Mugabe will not have sleepy Tsvangirai to content with. The new constitution WILL deliver free and fair elections. And we both know what that means – REGIME CHANGE!

            If there is one thing certain to hurry Mugabe to his maker, it is regime change! My only hope is that he will not cheap justice; there are some hard questions the nation would like him to answer!

          • Chimbwido Warvet

            Oh Gosh, no Ahh is this beyond the comprehension of Yepec, common Sense, David Taylor and Super Mondo? You would think they no longer exist. Come on guys, say something. At least I support the views expressed by Kossam and not Wilbert whose opinion reflects muddled thinking.

          • super mondo

            the only issues at stake are reforms before elections.the rest is a smokescreen.

          • http://www.facebook.com/kmutsinze Kossam Mutsinze

            By the way when I said people should vote for change, I did not mean they should vote for the MDC. It is quite the opposite as I meant they should endorse COPAC for change. It is simply because Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Ncube have thrown their support to the COPAC initiative as it represents the aspirations of the majority in Zimbabwe.