MDC Renewal says changes made by Mugabe will not move the country forward

The appointments of Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko as vice-presidents, the reshuffling of the cabinet and the announcement of the 2015 national budget by Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa have all failed to inspire confidence in the nation and will not move the country forward, the president of the MDC Renewal Team Sekai Holland said in her end of year message.

“The nation has heard, seen and lived it before and our lives have worsened because of the political deformities and lack of courage to act differently,” she said.

One of the major problems, she said, was that the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front has failed to transform itself from a liberation movement to a political party.

Her party believed that the national economic and political crises that Zimbabwe is facing can only be resolved through national dialogue and as such the party was committed to talking with everyone.

Full statement:

Press Statement by the MDC Renewal Team President, Senator Sekai M. Holland

As the year 2014 comes to a close the MDC Renewal Team remains hopeful that despite the various economic, social and political challenges that the people of Zimbabwe are facing, our efforts as a pan African party will result in a better life for all.

This is in spite of the serious structural problems in the political movements of this country starting from Zanu PF which has failed to transform from a liberation movement to a political party. This has further been reflected in the systematic failure and socio-economic and political chaos that the country faces. In 2014, we have witnessed the closure of over 4 500 companies while thousands of workers have be laid off from work. It is regrettable that 2015 will prove to be another difficult year for the people as Zanu PF has neither the capacity nor the capacity to turn around the national economy.

The appointments made last week by Robert Mugabe of the country’s two vice presidents, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekeza Mphoko, the reshuffling of the Cabinet and the recent announcement of the national budget by Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa have all failed to inspire confidence in the nation and will not move the country forward. The nation has heard, seen and lived it before and our lives have worsened because of the political deformities and lack of courage to act differently. The MDC Renewal Team believes that the national economic and political crises that Zimbabwe is facing can only be resolved through national dialogue and we re-affirm our commitment to talk with everyone. As such we are happy that we have signed a ground breaking reunification agreement with our colleagues in the MDC and we are confident that this is a crucial step towards the establishment of grand coalition that will deliver democratic transition.

We also recommit to the idea of a National Transitional Technical Council (NTTC) made of technocrats whose mandate will be to turning around and stabilise the country’s economy and create conditions that are conducive for the holding of free, fair and credible elections. We note with concern that violence is again rearing its ugly head as our members in Chitungwiza have been savagely attacked by some thugs belonging to Morgan Tsvangirai and some misguided elements in his party. Such acts underscore the importance of expeditiously setting up the National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation Commission whose mandate is to ensure that Zimbabwe is healed following decades of violence and intolerance, which have become engrained in our culture.

In spite of the doom and gloom that the nation is facing after the Zanu PF government has stolen the cheer out of the festive season, the MDC Renewal Team wishes the people of Zimbabwe a merry Christmas and a prosperous and peaceful 2015. We urge the citizens to exercise caution as they travel to various destinations. May God bless you!!! May God bless Zimbabwe!!

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