Don’t cry wolf, PM told

tranquillity here, a diplomatic source has said.
The diplomat said Mr Tsvangirai was reminded of a dossier his party sent to Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who is Sadc Troika chair, in March that was later brought to the attention of Government by a friendly African State.

The dossier was reportedly brought to Cabinet, and MDC-T Cabinet Ministers disowned it in a desperate bid to stop Government from instituting investigations.

The dossier was sent by MDC-T secretary for international relations Mr Jameson Timba and had already been discussed by Sadc and the African Union by the time it was disowned.

“The mistake Mr Tsvangirai made was of telling President Kikwete what was not in tandem with what the Sadc observer team to the referendum told him. Besides, this team was led by Tanzanian Foreign Minister (Mr Bernard Membe) who told his president that there was peace and tranquillity in Zimbabwe and the people voted in a free, fair and credible manner.

“During the meeting (on Tuesday) PM Tsvangirai was told that the information the Tanzanians, Sadc and the AU now have was that everything was well in Zimbabwe and there was peace in the country,” the diplomat said.

The Tanzanian leader reportedly challenged PM Tsvangirai to defend the new position he raised on Tuesday and his responses, the diplomat said, were not convincing.

This then forced PM Tsvangirai to climb down after meeting President Kikwete on Tuesday and publicly admitted there was peace and tranquillity in Zimbabwe.

After meeting PM Tsvangirai, President Kikwete said: “As Sadc, we are very much interested in an election that is credible, free and fair. We want Zimbabweans to exercise their unfettered right to choose a leader of their choice.”

Mr Membe, who led a Sadc observer mission during the referendum, said: “In general, the mission observed that the polling process was conducted in a peaceful, transparent and smooth manner. We also wish to commend ZEC for the professional and dedicated manner in which they delivered a successful referendum to the people of Zimbabwe.

“On behalf of the chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, His Excellency Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania and on behalf of the entire Sadc family, I wish to sincerely congratulate the Government, ZEC and the people of Zimbabwe for holding a peaceful and credible Constitutional Referendum on 16 March 2013.”

Mr Membe said that was a major step in the implementation of the GPA and encouraged the political leadership to uphold peace and stability.

This is the position the Sadc Troika still has on Zimbabwe.
The inclusive Government was formed to foster socio-economic and political stability in readiness for elections, which environment the MDC-T leader conceded was now in place.

Mr Tsvangirai’s spokesperson, Mr Luke Tamborinyoka had to issue a watered down statement after his boss’ meeting with President Kikwete.

“Commenting after his meeting with the Sadc Troika chair, Prime Minister Tsvangirai said the calls for peace by the Zanu-PF leadership and their actions on the ground, in particular with reference to the voters’ roll is increasingly pointing to a hidden strategy of hoodwinking the region, the international community and the Zimbabwean electorate that they are committed to a peaceful, free and fair election, when in fact they are committed to, and are planning for, a peaceful but rigged election.

Peace, although necessary, is not a sufficient condition for a credible and legitimate election.”
However, in a speech read on his behalf by Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe at the official opening of the Zimbabwe International Business Conference at the just-ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, PM Tsvangirai told the business community that peace and tranquillity prevailed in the country.

He said; “Zimbabwe is in its final phase of the inclusive Government and an atmosphere of stability and tranquillity is prevailing at the back of a very successful Constitutional Referendum. Zimbabweans now face the real test of confidence as the country manages the transition out of the Inclusive Government set up.”

This is contrary to the fresh agenda he is trying to sell in the region.
Political and social commentators said it was foolhardy for any political leader to attempt to build a political career on violence.

Tsholotsho North legislator and Zanu-PF Politburo member Professor Jonathan Moyo said Sadc and the world were aware of President Mugabe’s tirelessly efforts to ensure peace and tranquillity in the country.

“The President’s work is there for everyone to see. It’s not propaganda, it’s a reality. It is being acknowledged by many countries including those that imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe that were is peace in the country. Some are coming to re-engage Zimbabwe,” he said.

Britain, the EU, the US and their allies are all seized with re-engagement efforts aimed at normalising relations with Zimbabwe.

Prof Moyo said it was unusual for countries and companies to conduct businesses with countries preparing for elections, adding the Zimbabwean situation was amazing.

“For the PM to tell Sadc that President Mugabe’s call for peace is not sufficient is scandalous. Tanzanian leader and other African leaders must have been left speechless. What else is the PM looking for?

“There is peace and tranquillity in Zimbabwe and Sadc and AU, as continental bodies created to promote peace, should congratulate themselves,” he said.

Prof Moyo said so many things happened between 2008 and today and Zimbabwe was longer an issue to Sadc, the AU and the international community.

“He has to assist the President in preaching peace. Peace must begin with him and that cannot be done in Maputo (Mozambique), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Windhoek (Namibia), but in Honde Valley, Tsholotsho and Dotito, areas he is shunning.

“He talks a lot and is now contradicting and embarrassing himself. He must be in Zimbabwe to provide leadership in Parliament. He does not have leadership qualities. The PM must know that there is no country in the world that has everything. You can only get that in heaven.”

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Mrs Margaret Dongo, of the Zimbabwe Union of Democrats, yesterday said as a principal in the inclusive Government, Mr Tsvangirai was supposed to use Cabinet and Parliament to create structures for free and fair elections.

“You cannot be the region’s crybaby every time. He (Tsvangirai) is undermining himself and by continuously going to the region he is telling Zimbabweans that do not vote for me because I am a coward.

“He must be able to stand up and trust Zimbabweans. If he continues to undermine the country and its people, what guarantee is there that he will trust them when he happens to get into power? He should help build local logistics that ensure a free and fair election that he wants.

“Peace does not come from regional leaders. It comes from Zimbabweans. The people are saying they want peace and so it means violence is coming from the top. He should know that the outsiders will not interfere with the country’s electoral laws. So his solution for free and fair elections is here,” she said.

Mrs Dongo said PM Tsvangirai was now a laughing stock to the world and some Zimbabweans who had invested their trust and money in him.

“He has dumped his friends such as (Professor Lovemore) Madhuku and the National Constitutional Assembly and some people in the Diaspora who had invested their money in his party. He became so arrogant and selfish when he smelt and tested power in Government. However, he negotiated using people without experience and is getting ill advise,” she said.

Mr Tamborenyoka could not be reached for a comment yesterday.
PM Tsvangirai is on a regional tour that has taken him to South Africa, Tanzania and is still to visit Namibia and Mozambique among other countries.