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Statement on the MDC's 11th anniversary
National Constitutional Assembly (NCA)
September 13, 2010

The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) joins the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) which commemorated its 11th anniversary on Saturday 11 September 2010.

The MDC, a worker's party was formed in 1999 as a vehicle towards the emancipation of Zimbabweans from bondage and dictatorship instigated by the brutal regime of Robert Mugabe. We are proud that the MDC is a product of the National Working Peoples Convention of 1999 which came out of the tripartite alliance of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU), and the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU).

However it is saddening to note that the party has now been hijacked by capitalists who have no history and are now leading the party of the working class into the mountains away from its original owners (the workers).

Over the years the NCA has fought shoulder to shoulder with the MDC in the quest for the total liberation of Zimbabwe and a genuine people driven constitution that guarantees free and fair elections.

We remember vividly the contribution made by the then NCA leaders, the likes of Morgan Tsvangirai, Gibson Sibanda, Nelson Chamisa, Learnmore Jongwe, in the formation of the MDC and the historic NO Vote in the referendum of 1999, when the Mugabe regime wanted to impose a constitution on the people of Zimbabwe.

As the MDC commemorate 11 years of struggle, we wish to express our bitterness with the inconsistence shown by the MDC in negating the founding principles of the movement regarding the writing of the constitution for the country. By agreeing to Article 6 of the GPA, the MDC showed its back to the foundation that built the party. Our principle on the issue of the constitution will remain that of a people driven constitution as outlined by the resolutions of the National Working People's Convention.

The MDC participation in the current flawed process being led by a group of selected parliamentarians under the name of COPAC only shows lack of principle and inconsistence of the highest magnitude by the 'party of excellence.' Like the June 27 Presidential elections, the COPAC process has proved to be nothing but a gimmick whose only agenda is to siphon money from donors and would not yield the desired results.

It is in this vein that we call upon the MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai and company to immediately pull out of this charade and start a fresh process that provides for an independent constitutional commission which is broadly representative of all of the political, religious, and ethnic factions within the society regardless of political affiliation to lead the process.

We reiterate our call that our movement, the MDC should remain guided by the resolutions of the (NWPC), and urge them not to abandon its partners, namely the NCA, ZCTU and ZINASU for them to remain a force to reckon in the country's political landscape. The movement must wage a struggle, mobilize the working class and other popular classes, to ensure that the means of production are used to the benefit of the people as a whole.

As the NCA we will continue advocating for a genuine people driven constitution, and through the Take Charge Campaign we will vigorously campaign for a NO VOTE in the referendum to resist an elite constitution.

We also take this opportunity to salute the gallant sons and daughters of the MDC whom we lost since 1999, Tonderai Ndira, Learnmore Jongwe, Gift Tandare, Isaac Matongo, Better Chokururama, Talent Mabika, Gibson Sibanda, Patrick Kombayi, Gertrude Mthombeni, to mention a few, may their soul rest in eternal peace.

Lastly we call upon the MDC to refrain from factionalism as this only causes animosity and further divisions in the party.

We forever cherish the relationship we have with the MDC iregardless of the fact that they are pursuing a wrong path on the issue of the constitution.

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