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foreign funders, including countries that imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe, would result in manipulation of the processes.
Minister Biti told a 2013 National Budget consultative meeting in Bulawayo on
Thursday that Treasury was dry and could not fund the two processes.
The minister said there was need to seek funding from the United Kingdom, Norway and China and the United Nations, whom he argued had the obligation to fund the elections like they were doing in the education and health sectors.
However, this has been interpreted as yet another ploy by Minister Biti and the MDC-T to convince Zimbabweans that the country was not ready for polls.
Political observer and Zanu-PF politburo member and legislator for Tsholotsho North constituency Professor Jonathan Moyo, said the minister was just a “nominal” figure and had no power to change the electoral course the country was pursuing.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has indicated that the country needs US$104 million to fund the two processes and President Mugabe has made it clear that
the polls would be held next year.
Prof Moyo said this was not the first time Minister Biti announced that the country had no money for the elections, adding that the minister should stop creating alarm and despondency.
“Zimbabwe is not in the pockets of donors. The money for elections is there. We are going to have the elections once the President proclaims the dates.
“It is not up to Minister Biti to decide on this matter. His tricks are not going to delay the elections anymore.
“There is nowhere in the Constitution where it is written that the elections will be held once Biti gets money. No. It is a constitutional issue, not a fiscal or a monetary matter. When elections are due they take precedence over everything . . . the President will just make a proclamation and we will go for elections,” he said.
University of Zimbabwe lecturer Dr Charity Manyeruke said Zimbabwe was supposed to use her resources for the country to produce an election result respected by the people.
She said if foreigners were to be allowed to fund national elections, chances were high that they would demand to set dates for the poll, interfere with the electoral processes and force everyone to dance according to their tune.
“We need to look for internal sources to fund the elections and demonstrate that we are capable of holding free and fair elections on our own. That is a requirement for democracy; objectivity and integrity. What will be the purpose of that election if the money used is sourced from elsewhere? We will not be giving credence to our sovereignty,” she said.
Britain and Norway have already taken a hardline stance on Zimbabwe and questions are being raised why Minister Biti was suggesting taking his begging bowl to those countries.
The British have managed to internationalise their dispute with Zimbabwe over land and have convinced America and the European Union to impose the illegal sanctions on the country.
Zanu-PF argues that taking the bowl to some countries and institutions that slapped political and economic sanctions on Zimbabwe showed that Minister Biti was naïve.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo yesterday said Minister Biti was just making noise yet he knew no money would come from the UK, Norway, the UN and America.
“Do you see (US President Barak) Obama who is facing his internal problems giving Biti anything for the elections? These people imposed some sanctions on us and how does he expect them to fund our elections. The money should be found here and he should budget for it. He knew there was going to be an election and why was he not preparing for it.
“We know they do not have support on the ground and they are clutching onto everything available so that the inclusive Government remains in place and (they) continue to enjoy the luxuries associated with being in Government,” he said.
The Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC faction spokesperson Mr Kurauone Chihwayi said Minister Biti’s suggestions meant that the external donors would be the country’s handlers deciding its fate.
“Zimbabwe has the capacity to fund our political processes. It is nonsensical for Minister Biti to say that we should go begging to Western countries. It is definitely going to affect the results. Our country has adequate resources including platinum, gold and diamonds.
“Every time we talk of funding national events, Biti starts talking of borrowing. He should stop that. It is happening under Biti that there is doubt on when civil servants will get their bonuses. It is under Biti that we are always borrowing for everything,” he said.
Online Reporter