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Jury Still out on Copac's Life

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Jury Still out on Copac's Life Iz qula enzo u I G ze o n ir z it o a G M u q a j u n l i a h C C h o i r n i t j i a a M M a a i j t i n r i o h C The Real Change Times Movement for Democratic Change A Party of Excellence! The Official Mouthpiece of the MDC Tuesday 19 October MDC Information & Publicity Department, Harvest House, 44 Nelson Mandela Ave, Harare, Zimbabwe Issue 054: 2010 Ignore Mugabe’s tantrums HARARE – In present day Zimbabwe, Robert serving; temporary; and designed to delude and to Mugabe, the leader of the former ruling party, Zanu deceive a shrinking Zanu PF political sect and other PF, has absolutely no power to call for a national lumpen elements, still riddled with national guilt, election or referendum as and when he wishes. violence-stained, and in perpetual denial. After Mugabe lost the election on 29 March 2008 Against that background, last weekend’s public and the subsequent military intervention, Zimbabwe statements in the Zanu PF press and on state sunk into political vacuum which was only filled radio and television by Rugare Gumbo, the on 15 September 2008 by the Global Political Zanu PF information secretary, and by Mugabe Agreement (GPA) which substantially wiped out himself that there shall be a referendum in April Mugabe’s powers. and a national election in June are totally false and misleading. Under the new arrangement, brokered by SADC, Mugabe lost a huge chunk of his clout as a lone The statements may indicate the thinking inside warrior in that he was forced to surrender executive a Zanu PF wish-list, but beyond that, they remain Dr Lovemore Madhuku Robert Mugabe authority and power to the Rt. Hon. Morgan devoid of any substance or essence. Tsvangirai, the Prime Minister. With the GPA now the main guideline to or on its behalf, without the explicit approval Zimbabwe’s supreme law, the Constitution, and endorsement of Executive Prime Minister For the avoidance of doubt, when the GPA became What this means is that Mugabe lacks the capacity Mugabe can forget about his previous position as Tsvangirai – the only Zimbabwean leader Amendment 19 of the Zimbabwe Constitution, it to make unilateral decisions on behalf of Zimbabwe the main agenda setter and a determinant of the today who enjoys a clear Constitutional power, overtook any other provision that may be in conflict without consulting Prime Minister Tsvangirai on all people’s fate. legitimacy and a combined national muscle of the with the changed circumstances. Amendment 19 facets of governance and state affairs. As the loser people -- has no legal force or effect. takes precedence, overrides and makes nonsense of in the 29 March election, Mugabe needs President Much as Mugabe’s private advisors in the any part of the Lancaster House Constitution that Tsvangirai more than anybody else in order to civil-military junta may wish, the reality is that The maintenance of a dishonest mentality that is in conflict with the letter and spirit of the GPA. remain relevant in Zimbabwean politics. anything done by the Inclusive Government, Mugabe is firmly in control can only be self- To Page 2 POSA in for major facelift Jury still out HARARE – The Public Order and According to an Order Paper released The Bill will amend Posa to Security Amendment Bill is expected by Parliament last week, parts of two ensure that public gatherings are to go to the Committee Stage in the clauses – Clause 5 and Clause 7 should regulated in a manner that will allow House of Assembly this week, where be deleted while a new clause, Clause Zimbabweans to fully exercise it will be scrutinised by the MPs on 10 should be inserted in the Bill. their fundamental democratic right on Copac’s life every clause. to express themselves through the The Committee Stage is the period the medium of peaceful assembly and HARARE – The Parliamentary Select The Bill seeks to make amendments House of Assembly sits as a Committee and the Bill is debated clause by clause. It association irrespective of their Committee (Copac) will meet on to the oppressive Public Order and is during this stage that amendments can political or social affiliation. Thursday to come up with a plan of Security Act (Posa), which was be introduced. action and review the Constitution enacted in 2002 from the colonial The amendments to Posa were outreach meetings that have been taking Law and Order (Maintenance) Gonese has called for the inclusion of moved as a Private Member’s Bill by place since June, Copac spokesperson, Act (Loma). Clause 10, which requires the police to Gonese, who is Mutare Central MP, Jessie Majome has said. justify why they would have used force last year. The MDC chief whip, Innocent in dispersing a public gathering. The outreach meetings were mothballed Gonese said several issues had Meanwhile, the MDC has made last month after Zanu PF-sponsored been raised when the Bill was “Where one or more police officers use some changes to its membership violence stalled the public hearings debated during public hearings force in order to disperse a gathering in the Standing Rules and in Harare and Chitungwiza as Zanu or to prevent disorder at a gathering, and by the Parliamentary Orders Committee following the PF frantically tried to impose its Legal Committee. the police or the senior police officer moribund ideas onto the people and to Hon. Jessie Majome concerned, shall prepare a written appointments of its three members to ministerial positions. socially engineer the outcome through report detailing, the circumstances, the intimidation, force and coercion. “After the meeting we are going to nature of force used and the identity compile a draft in preparation for the all Bulawayo Central MP, Dorcas of the police officers involved,” Majome said the meeting would come stakeholders meeting,” Majome said. Gonese said. Sibanda, Warren Park MP, Elias up with a plan of action on how to Mudzuri and Hwange Senator She decried limited financial resources proceed with the abandoned Harare He proposed that copies of the report Jabulani Ndlovu have replaced to complete the crucial meetings and outreach meetings. should be forwarded to the Minister of Tapiwa Mashakada, Obert Gutu and security for the public. Home Affairs and the convenor of the Tongai Matutu. gathering without delay. The Harare meetings were abandoned “We are anxious about the safety of the in September after Zanu PF bussed in Mashakada was appointed the public during the outstanding meetings After going through the Committee people from the rural areas to disrupt minister of Economic Planning in Harare. Perpetrators of violence Stage this week, the Bill will go for the meetings. The disturbances led during the aborted Harare meetings a third reading before it is passed and Investment Promotion, Gutu to the death of one MDC activist, have been identified and the police have to Senate. was appointed the deputy minister Chrispen Mandizvidza at Mai Musodzi been notified but up to now they have of Justice and Legal Affairs while Hall in Mbare. not been arrested,” Majome said. “I am hoping the Bill will sail through Mautu was appointed the deputy by consensus so that it does not have minister of Youth Development, At least 40 of these meetings were According to Copac, 10 centres were Hon. Innocent Gonese hiccups in the Senate,” Gonese said. Indigenisation and Empowerment. scuttled by the orgy of violence rocked with violence in Harare during unleashed by Zanu PF militia. the aborted Harare meetings September. Together, united, winning, ready for real change! 1 MDC leaders consult the people on looming constitutional crisis HARARE - President Tsvangirai the outstanding GPA issues today launches the MDC outreach and on fresh violations of the programme designed to explain to the Constitution. people 18 months of GPA violations by Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF that The intention is nudge Mugabe have led to the current stalemate to respect SADC Resolution, and Constitutional crisis rocking the the SADC Treaty and Protocols, Inclusive Government. the AU Charter, the GPA and principles of democracy. The key issues the MDC wishes to present to the people for guidance, President Tsvangirai has debate and policy direction are: further invited SADC to urgently intervene to restore Constitutionality in Zimbabwe. Illegal acts and open violations of the GPA MDC’s position on elections Mugabe’s unilateral, illegal and unconstitutional appointments of Independent Commissions must provincial governors (last week); be fully functional before a the central bank governor Gideon credible election is possible. Gono (26 November 2008) and Attorney-General Johannes A new Constitution must be in Tomana (17 December 2008); place to grant the people essential five High Court judges (20 May freedoms and enable them to 2010); and the Police elect a government of their choice Service Commission. MAN OF THE PEOPLE… President Tsvangirai doing what he knows best in a climate of total safety and security. The appointments violate the Unilateral changes to ministerial and intimidation was rampant cleared first. When this happened, Constitution of Zimbabwe which mandates and general in outlying areas, resulting in a Mugabe still maintains that The process determines the clearly states in Schedule 8 executive abuse. flawed process. he does not intend to swear in (20.1.7) that: “The parties agree election date. What has to be Hon. Roy Bennett as the Deputy that with respect to occupants done to ensure a genuinely free The need to restore the legitimacy Minister of Agriculture. This is a of senior Government positions, and fair election must be done The Constitution-making process of the Inclusive Government is violation of the letter and spirit of such as Permanent Secretaries before an election date is plucked necessary.
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