Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who disclosed he had cancer nearly three weeks ago, today said he was recovering but appointed Nelson Chamisa and Elias Mudzuri to join Thokozani Khupe as vice-presidents.
He said this was in line with a directive from his party’s national executive which had resolved to pile pressure on Mugabe to resign.
“The party’s national council was unequivocal in its resolution yesterday that President Robert Mugabe and his government must leave office or face popular protests as they have failed to find lasting solutions to the problems facing the people,” Tsvangirai said.
“To this end, the party resolved yesterday to continue its provincial protest marches while co-coordinating and preparing for robust and comprehensive national action on a date to be announced. In that national action, we will be rallying the nation and all democratic forces to converge on the national demand that Mugabe and his government must retire.
“While our provincial demonstrations will continue, the logistics and mechanics for the national action are currently being worked out.”
The two new vice-presidents are both former organising secretaries of the party.
Tsvangirai also said that the party had decided that a national transitional authority should be formed to pave the way forward.
The NTA would have a very limited tenure and a specific mandate to, among other things:
Supervise the implementation of the Constitution, including the alignment of laws to the same
Oversee and monitor the work of Commissions such as the Human Rights Commission, National Anti-Corruption Commission, National Peace, Healing and Reconciliation Commission, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and others.
Oversee the political reform agenda, some reforms of which are now enshrined in the new Constitution as well as being involved in the preparation for credible elections.
Oversee and monitor food aid and distribution
Develop a shared National Vision and economic reconstruction programme. Our country needs its own Marshal Plan
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