Anti-sanctions lobby rolls into provinces

ago rolls through the provinces starting this weekend.
There are already indications that the two million signature target could be soon surpassed.
Some provinces have said they can easily get 800 000 signatures each at district and village levels.
The provincial launches, to be officiated by senior Government officials, are expected to be attended by over 40 000 people countrywide.
The launches will be held at provincial capitals.
The petition calls for the immediate removal of illegal Western sanctions on Zimbabwe.
Governors yesterday rallied Zimbabweans to support the campaign, a call reiterated by Zanu-PF provincial chairpersons.
Bulawayo Governor Cain Mathema said their launch would be at Stanley Square.
“We are still in the process of identifying the venues that will be used for the signing of the petition.
“Most people are, however, expected to sign the petitions at their local schools,” he said.
His Matabeleland South counterpart Angeline Masuku said their launch would be at Gwanda District Club.
“We are expecting our people from all the seven districts to come and be part of the launch of the anti-sanctions campaign and sign the petition,” she said.
Matabeleland North Governor Thokozile Mathuthu said the campaign would be launched at Lupane Centre on Saturday.
“The occasion will be presided over by Cde Rugare Gumbo, who is the Zanu-PF national secretary for information and publicity.
“A few delegates will sign the petition during the launch to save time, and the rest will sign at the centres that have already been identified.”
The leadership in Midlands has set up committees at provincial, district and ward level to identify centres where people can sign.
Governor Jaison Machaya said they expected more than 800 000 signatures from the province following the launch at the Civic Centre in Gweru.
“We have 28 constituencies in the province with a population of about 1,4 million and we expect over 800 000 people to sign.
“Each of the 400 wards will have signing points which will be manned by our people. These points will be open from 7am to 5pm,” he said.
He said the province – once a hub of industry and mining – had been severely affected by the illegal sanctions.
“Bata Shoe Company, instead of employing 3 000 people has just 400. The same with Ziscosteel where 30 000 people have been left jobless while Zimcast has shut its doors to over 400 families.”
Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman Cde Andrew Langa said Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development Minister Nicholas Goche would lead the proceedings.
“We are expecting 15 000 people to attend the function but more centres will be opened in the province’s seven districts,” he said.
Mashonaland Central is targeting at least 800 000 signatures after the launch in Bindura on Saturday at Chipadze Stadium.
Zanu-PF provincial chairman Cde Dickson Mafios said: “We are having a preparatory meeting tomorrow (today) at the Governor’s offices and we have invited all stakeholders including from churches, war veterans, civil servants and representatives from the civil society.”
In Masvingo, more than 20 000 people are expected to attend the launch at Muchakata Business Centre. Zanu-PF Central Committee member Cde Clemence Makwarimba yesterday said Information, Media and Publicity Minister Webster Shamu would be the guest of honour.
He said transport arrangements were in place to ferry people to the launch.
“Judging by the people’s mood, they are determined to show their displeasure and anger over the continued imposition of these hideous sanctions that have caused untold suffering to them since the year 2000.
“We are even urging every other patriotic Zimbabwean in the province to add his voice to this call for the sanctions to be lifted they are illegal and unjustified,” he said.
The Mashonaland East Province launch is at Rudhaka Stadium. Governor Aeneas Chigwedere said, “The programme will start at 9am and end at 2pm.”
State Security Minister Sydney Sekeramayi will lead proceedings in Manicaland’s capital of Mutare. The province has set a target of 320 000 signatures.
President Mugabe was the first citizen to sign the National Anti-Sanctions Petition at the national launch in Harare. The petition stems from the Global Political Agreement clause, signed between Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations, calling for the immediate removal of illegal sanctions.