Addressing 7 000 people at Gaza Business Centre in Buhera North, Manicaland province, national spokesperson, Nelson Chamisa said the MDC had undertaken to deliver real change to the people of Zimbabwe.
He said the while the past months have seen progress in many sectors of the nation, the Zimbabwe that so many millions of our people have struggled for, believed in and voted for has not yet been achieved.
Chamisa, who is also the Minister of Information and Communications Technology, said the party will not lose sight of its dreams and will continue to struggle until every Zimbabwe lives in peace, prosperity and freedom.
He commended the people for their courage, conviction and commitment to the democratic founding principles of the MDC as shown by their participation in elections and party programmes over the past decade.
Chamisa said the inclusive government though not perfect, presents a workable process within which Zimbabweans can exercise their right to author a constitution of their choice that will provide the framework for free and fair.
“The people of Zimbabwe must determine what will be in their constitution. The Kariba Draft will not be forced down anyone’s throat. It should be borne in mind that Zimbabwe is using the Lancaster House Constitution of 1979, which was basically a negotiated political settlement that did not necessarily reflect the views and aspirations of the masses,” he said.
He expressed his disappointment over Zanu PF which continues to act with arrogance, forgetting that it was the one which lost the March election.
The MDC, he said, remained frustrated over outstanding issues such as the issue of provincial governors, permanent secretaries, ambassadors, Attorney General Johannes Tomana, central bank governor Gideon Gono and the swearing in of deputy minister designate, Roy Bennett.
He said only through the full and complete implementation of the GPA can we progress as a nation. He called upon the principals of the inclusive government to abide by the principles of the GPA so that they give the nation a chance to start afresh. This, he said, will give hope and confidence to the people, to Africa and the broader international community.
Hon Chamisa said all challenges currently slowing down the progress of the inclusive government can only be put to halt until and unless all outstanding issues on the GPA are implemented.
In his vote of thanks speech, Manicaland governor designate, Julius Magarangoma said he has already assumed duty and is not waiting for Mugabe to swear him in so that he starts duty as a governor. He said he was appointed by President Tsvangirai and the MDC.
Also in attendance were Deputy Minister for Media, Information and Publicity Jameson Timba, House of Assembly member for Makoni South Pishai Muchauraya, House of Assembly member for Musikavanhu Prosper Mutseyami, Provincial members and visiting districts.
At another rally in Masvingo province, Masvingo Central MP Jefferson Chitando urged traditional leaders to desist from politics and treat their people equally. He said chapter 14 of the GPA clearly states that Chiefs and village heads should exercise their duties in a non-partisan manner.
“Chiefs and village heads must realize that there is a new political dispensation and as such Chiefs must respect all political parties. Chiefs and village heads are not politicians,” said Chitando.
He said ZANU PF was now a liability to the people of Zimbabwe and he urged local villagers to remain resolute in the march towards a new Zimbabwe.
The member of the house of assembly for Masvingo West, Tachiona Mharadza said the former ruling party ZANU PF was now a spent force and was bent on discrediting the MDC.
“We know they are spreading hate language and they are claiming the MDC brought sanctions .We are here to correct the misconceptions being propagated by ZANU PF. The ZANU PF propaganda machinery has gone into overdrive in a bid to discredit the MDC,” said Mharadza.
Meanwhile, victory celebration rallies were also held in Chivi South on Saturday and the keynote address was delivered by provincial secretary Hon Tongai Matutu .Similar celebrations were also held in Zaka central and Gutu south constituencies on the same day.
The MDC National Chairman and Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo addressed a bumper crowd in Ward 18 of Mazhayimbe/Fumago village in Matopo North n Matabeleland South province.
The MDC National Chairman thanked the people of their resilience and encouraged them to hold on until real change had been brought to the people of Zimbabwe.
“Thank you for remaining unmoved in this quest for change in Zimbabwe , real change that can only be fulfilled when as Zimbabweans we have our own Constitution. We want a people-driven constitution, he said.
Speaking at the same rally, Senator Sithembile Mlotshwa of Matopo constituency said women today were lucky because a partner in the new government considers representation of women.
“We are grateful that the MDC is a partner in government and the MDC believes in involvement, consultation and participation of women,” said Hon Mlotshwa.
Addressing an 8 000-strong crowd at Nyamhunga stadium in Kariba on Saturday, Women’s Assembly Chairperson and Public Works Minister Hon Theresa Makone said “restrictive measures and the lack of rule of law co-exist hence Zanu-pf should morph itself into a party that respects and upholds the rule of law.
“The MDC is not responsible for punitive measures imposed on Mugabe’s regime neither does it have a prerogative to call for their lifting since we did not do anything that warranted those punitive measures.
The 8000 strong crowd could not hide its excitement when Agriculture deputy minister designate and MDC Treasurer General Senator Roy Bennett took to the stage amidst song and dance.
Senator Bennett told the crowd that the change that we see now is not the real change we deserve and want.
“We have one leg in this inclusive government so we can not fully manoeuvre and bring real change to you the people of Zimbabwe . You should continue to hold on to your hope for real change which is near,” Senator Bennett.
He added that real change for the people of Zimbabwe has not been fully realised because of the lack of implementation of the GPA by Zanu-PF, which is impeding progress.
Addressing another rally at Chodha shopping centre in Gokwe-Gumunyu in Midlands North province, the MDC national Deputy organising secretary Senator Morgan Komichi urged people to remain united until the party delivers real change.
Hon Komichi also urged the people to participate in the Constitution-making process as it is crucial in the next election. He decried the actions by some few officers in the army who continued to intimidate people.
“Soldiers must be confined to their barracks”, he said amidst applause. The MDC deputy secretary General Tapiwa Mashakada speaking at the same rally said the MDC had not joined anyone in the inclusive government.
“We should be clear over who is who in the inclusive government and not to be fooled that we joined Zanu PF. We were joined by Zanu PF, the losing party in the last election. We are the winning party and we will bring real change to the people of Zimbabwe when we form the next government on our own,” he said
