… ‘we will
amend law to squeeze opposition’
amend law to squeeze opposition’
… says MDC Alliance supporters were paid $10 to
demonstrate
demonstrate
Upenyu
Chaota
Chaota
MASVINGO
– Zanu PF bigwigs
that are annoyed by pressure from the MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa are
agitating for the ruling party to use its two-thirds parliamentary majority to
amend the Constitution and limit political freedoms.
– Zanu PF bigwigs
that are annoyed by pressure from the MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa are
agitating for the ruling party to use its two-thirds parliamentary majority to
amend the Constitution and limit political freedoms.
Defence minister Oppah Muchinguri, who is also the
Zanu PF national chairperson, told a provincial inter-district conference at
Masvingo Polytechnic on Monday (December 3) that the ruling party will make laws
to stop ‘the opposition madness’.
Zanu PF national chairperson, told a provincial inter-district conference at
Masvingo Polytechnic on Monday (December 3) that the ruling party will make laws
to stop ‘the opposition madness’.
“I want to thank you Masvingo for voting Zanu PF and
giving us 25 out of the 26 parliamentary seats in the province. You contributed
so that we have majority in parliament and we can change any law in our Constitution
to fit our needs.
giving us 25 out of the 26 parliamentary seats in the province. You contributed
so that we have majority in parliament and we can change any law in our Constitution
to fit our needs.
“Zvakuita manje
tava kutonga nekuti ndimo munodiwa kuti tichinje mutemo (It’s now possible we
have to change some laws). Zviri kuitika izvi imi wee-e wanhu wakufarisa, iwo
maopposition members aya akufarisa (These opposition members are enjoying
too much freedoms),” said Muchinguri.
tava kutonga nekuti ndimo munodiwa kuti tichinje mutemo (It’s now possible we
have to change some laws). Zviri kuitika izvi imi wee-e wanhu wakufarisa, iwo
maopposition members aya akufarisa (These opposition members are enjoying
too much freedoms),” said Muchinguri.
He words were soon followed by calls from war veterans
secretary general Victor Matemadanda to amend the Constitution and raise the
age of eligibility to contest a presidential election from 40 to 52 in a move
seen as an specifically targeted at eliminating Chamisa’s chances of contesting
President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2023. Chamisa will be 45 years of age in 2023.
secretary general Victor Matemadanda to amend the Constitution and raise the
age of eligibility to contest a presidential election from 40 to 52 in a move
seen as an specifically targeted at eliminating Chamisa’s chances of contesting
President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2023. Chamisa will be 45 years of age in 2023.
Buhera South Member of Parliament (MP) Joseph
Chinotimba first mooted the idea some few months ago but the plan is said to be
facing immense opposition not only from citizens but from the Zanu PF youth
league.
Chinotimba first mooted the idea some few months ago but the plan is said to be
facing immense opposition not only from citizens but from the Zanu PF youth
league.
Muchinguri bemoaned the ruling party’s poor showing in
urban areas claiming that was the reason why Chamisa was ‘causing so much
trouble’.
urban areas claiming that was the reason why Chamisa was ‘causing so much
trouble’.
“We won resoundingly in rural areas but we suffered
heavy losses in all urban areas. Harare boosted Chamisa’s votes because he got
over 500 000 and we got about 200 000. The same trend was seen in Bulawayo,
Mutare, Masvingo, Gweru and pretty much all the urban centres.
heavy losses in all urban areas. Harare boosted Chamisa’s votes because he got
over 500 000 and we got about 200 000. The same trend was seen in Bulawayo,
Mutare, Masvingo, Gweru and pretty much all the urban centres.
“We have a lot of work to do in all urban set ups.
This is what is giving Chamisa all this madness and he has to be stopped. Chamisa
has been so stubborn.
This is what is giving Chamisa all this madness and he has to be stopped. Chamisa
has been so stubborn.
“He has refused to accept the election results even
though all other countries have endorsed them. We had free and fair elections
and President Mnangagwa was declared the winner. Chamisa refused and made a
Constitutional Court (ConCourt) challenge where our President was again
declared winner. Despite all this, Chamisa still remains adamant and is doing
demonstrations,” said Muchinguri.
though all other countries have endorsed them. We had free and fair elections
and President Mnangagwa was declared the winner. Chamisa refused and made a
Constitutional Court (ConCourt) challenge where our President was again
declared winner. Despite all this, Chamisa still remains adamant and is doing
demonstrations,” said Muchinguri.
Muchinguri mocked MDC Alliance supporters saying
organised people will not be led to their ‘deaths’ because they would have ‘better
things to do’.
organised people will not be led to their ‘deaths’ because they would have ‘better
things to do’.
“When people have something to do and are organised,
they don’t go into the streets to demonstrate like what we are seeing with MDC
Alliance supporters led by Chamisa. People were shot and died in the streets
all because they shun the ruling party’s developmental initiatives and subject
themselves to poverty. They are paid $10 to get into the streets and
demonstrate,” said Muchinguri.
they don’t go into the streets to demonstrate like what we are seeing with MDC
Alliance supporters led by Chamisa. People were shot and died in the streets
all because they shun the ruling party’s developmental initiatives and subject
themselves to poverty. They are paid $10 to get into the streets and
demonstrate,” said Muchinguri.
Chamisa has been on record saying they will defend
their ‘stolen’ vote through peaceful protests and that President Mnangagwa is
no Father Christmas who dishes out rights as they are given by the national Constitution.
their ‘stolen’ vote through peaceful protests and that President Mnangagwa is
no Father Christmas who dishes out rights as they are given by the national Constitution.
