Back to Index

Zanu PF learnt nothing and forgotten nothing in violence
Movement for Democratic Change
September 20, 2010

The MDC notes with concern the disruption of the Constitutional outreach meetings by Zanu PF MPs and supporters in Harare, Bulawayo and Chitungwiza at the weekend. The MDC does not take the disturbances of barring the people of Zimbabwe from participating in writing a people-driven Constitution lightly. The actions by Zanu PF show that they are a leopard that has not changed its spots and its behaviour calls into question the manner in which the hearings for the new Constitution are being conducted.

Zanu PF has once again shown that it is at war with the people. It is a party that is against the people of Zimbabwe expressing their views in a free and fair manner. The MDC is greatly disturbed that senior Zanu PF politicians and MPs were involved in the disruptions of the 76 outreach meetings in Harare and Bulawayo. The Zanu PF politicians were involved in bussing and paying hundreds of its supporters from outside Harare to these venues casting doubts in the outcome and quality of the submissions. These supporters turned rowdy, disrupted the meetings and severely assaulting participants resulting in some being hospitalised. Reports of violence by Zanu PF supporters were recorded at Mai Musodzi Hall in Mbare, Shingai Primary School in Chitungwiza, Budiriro, Greystone Park and Dzivarasekwa. Dozens of meetings were aborted in Harare while at some venues the people were kept waiting for long hours before the teams arrived.

In Bulawayo, Zanu PF MPs who are part of Copac disappeared from the meetings in an attempt to sabotage the process. The Zanu PF MPs influenced Copac drivers and technicians go on strike over non-payment of allowances. What is more worrying is that these disturbances happened in the presence of police officers who took no action to restrain the culprits.

The people's patience is fast running out for we cannot continue to stomach any further acts of abuse. We agreed two years ago to have a people-driven Constitution. We committed ourselves to this process without any conditions but what Zanu PF is doing shows a desperate attempt to derail the process towards the end. Zanu PF knows that their time is up and can only try to spite and frustrate a nation whose sentiment is geared for real change. The MDC will continue to review and assess the constitution making process to defend and consolidate the people's struggle for a people driven constitution.

The writing of a new people-driven Constitution is the only way that the people of Zimbabwe will shape the future of this country. The people of Zimbabwe deserve a better life, food, jobs and education and this can only be achieved through a people-driven Constitution.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP