Matabeleland endorses MDC roadmap

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk
Tel/Fax: 02380 879675
General: 07714736382
P O Box 248, Hythe, SO45 4WX, United Kingdom

BULAWAYO – MDC President Morgan Tsvangirai spent much of last week interacting with the people of Matabeleland in the seven constituencies in the city as part of his national outreach programme to meet and consult lower level structures and hear the people’s concerns on the deteriorating political and economic crisis in the country.He was accompanied by the party’s vice President Thokozani Khupe, vice national chairman Lovemore Moyo, national youth chairman Thamsanqa Mahlangu and other senior party officials. “The team met thousands of enthusiastic supporters in Pelandaba, Makokoba, Bulawayo North East, Bulawayo South, Mpopoma, Luveve and Nkulumane and had serious deliberations on issues concerning the party and the nation,” said party spokesman Nelson Chamisa.Responding to calls that MPs who had joined the rival Mutambara faction should resign, Tsvangirai said the issue of the MPs was not of primary concern. He said the party’s main objective was to make a bold statement to Mugabe and Zanu (PF) that people were tired of the regime and want an urgent resolution of the crisis. “Zanu (PF) and Mugabe are the authors of the people’s misery through bad governance.

Therefore our efforts and resources must be directed towards terminating tyranny,” he said.Chamisa reported that the people enthusiastically received the roadmap, which entails a new Constitution and free and fair elections under international supervision followed by a robust reconstruction and stabilization programme in a new dispensation. Tsvangirai also held discussions with opinion leaders, civil society stakeholders and church leaders on how to resolve the problems affecting the nation. He called for unity of purpose among the democratic forces in dismantling the dictatorship.Tsvangirai reiterated his pledge to go ahead with mass democratic demonstrations if Mugabe refused to accede to the people’s demands. On the issue of the party’s name, he said it was obvious that there was only one MDC and all those who wanted to rejoin the party were free to do so. Officials were working hard to resolve the issue he said. “The Liberation team continues the nationwide consultative programmes in rural Matabeleland, the Midlands, and Mashonaland provinces in the coming weeks,” Chamisa added.