Opposition condemn attempt to extend Mugabe’s term

By Violet Gonda
7 December 2006

The opposition has responded angrily to reports that Robert Mugabe is planning to ‘die in office.’ Spokesperson for the Tsvangirai MDC Nelson Chamisa said; “The latest ploy to extend his term of office to 2010 must be rejected by all patriotic Zimbabweans who want a new Zimbabwe characterised by freedom, prosperity and democracy.”
Speaking on the programme Newsreel Chamisa said; “They have already started putting in place their mechanism and machinations of rigging by pretending as if the debate is coming from their various constituencies ahead of their various phantom conference. What we have clearly observed and what we have managed to gather is they are trying to extend Mugabe’s illegitimacy as a way of trying to create some breathing space for their own internal politics.”
An article believed to have been written by Mugabe’s spokesperson George Charamba, under his alleged pseudonym Nathaniel Manheru, said Zimbabweans will go to the polls in 2010 to choose their president and members of parliament.
The opposition says this is an unadulterated constitutional fraud as even under the current defective constitution, presidential terms are six-years and there should be presidential elections in 2008. Chamisa said, “Zanu PF must be stopped now if Zimbabwe is to be saved from the jaws of this tyranny.”
Analysts also say if it is true that the ruling party plans to extend Mugabe’s term then ZANU PF would have officially made it clear that Zimbabwe is a dictatorship, putting to rest the long running speculation of whether or not the 82 year old leader, who has ruled Zimbabwe with an iron fist since Independence 26 years ago, will ever retire.
Hopes for the suffering masses in Zimbabwe for an end to the crisis were also dashed when more reports emerged this week confirmed that Mugabe ‘may become life president.’ The ruling party secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa allegedly told ZimOnline on Tuesday that there are attempts to extend Mugabe’s term for life at the ZANU PF annual conference next week.
We were not able to get Minister Mutasa or the ZANU PF spokesperson Nathan Shamuyarira for comment.
Zimonline said; “In a bizarre twist to the vicious struggle for power within ZANU PF as Mugabe’s term draws to an end in 2008, Mutasa – who is de facto party secretary general – said there was “a realistic chance” that the conference could appoint Mugabe party president for life and its permanent candidate in state presidential elections for as long as he was alive.”
The MDC said to try and extend this dictatorship is a slap in the face and an insult to people who are already suffering. Chamisa also said; “Zanu PF must be stopped now if Zimbabwe is to be saved from the jaws of this tyranny. All democratic forces must demand a new, people-driven Ccnstitution to form the basis of the legitimacy of those occupying the highest office in the land.”
Asked how the MDC would mobilise the people the spokesperson said; “Zimbabweans are not docile, but resilient. Every struggle is a process and the fact that we have not managed to deliver, it doesn’t necessary mean the pregnancy is going to be terminated… We need to be patient.”