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Zanu PF attempts to derail elections for the Speakership
Movement for Democratic Change
March 26, 2011

Several MPs from the MDC have been targeted for arrest ahead of the election for the Speakership in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, the MDC Secretary - General, Hon. Tendai Biti has said. Addressing a press conference at the MDC head office, Harvest House on Friday, Hon. Biti said at least five State security agents had been deployed in each province to arrest the MPs ahead of the elections in a bid to crush the MDC's victory for the Speakership.

The MDC national chairperson, Hon. Lovemore Moyo is the party's nomination for the position of Speakership.

"Minister Mangoma has been re-arrested and brought to court where he was immediately indicted for trial at the High Court on 18 July 2011. We ask why the speed in the arrest of Hon. Mangoma and why arrest him in instalments when he was arrested two weeks ago?" Hon. Biti said.

He said the party was concerned by the upsurge in violence and kidnappings that are taking place across the country. "Democracy is under seige. Certain cabals in Zanu PF cockpit want to push for an early election by collapsing the inclusive government and the Parliament. They have a myopic hope that violence that violence will rule the roost as in June 2008," he said.

Over 500 MDC supporters were murdered in June 2008 in the run-up to the sham presidential run off. "However, they will be no election in Zimbabwe without the President and the Prime Minister acting and agreeing on an election. The fundamental point is that the roadmap that South Africa President Jacob Zuma would have tabled before SADC," said Hon. Biti.

He said some of the concerns that should be included in the roadmap are the security of the vote, which should be cast in a free and fair manner. There was need for a clean voters' roll, a clear delimitation to avoid jerry meandering, media reforms enacted, ensure freedom of assembly and association and guarantee security of individuals.

However, Hon. Biti was confident that the party's national chairperson, Hon. Moyo would win the elections as Speaker of Parliament. "We will not allow the people's will to be defeated and deflected," Hon. Biti said.

Hon. Biti was accompanied by the Secretary for Information and Publicity, Hon. Nelson Chamisa.

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