‘I’ll announce poll dates soon’

 

The President, who is the Head of State and Government and Comman­der-in-Chief of the Zim­babwe Defence Forces, said the coun­try had waited for the completion of the Con­stitution-making process for too long.
The President was speaking while opening the 13th Zanu-PF Annual National Peo­ples Conference being held at the giant conference centre built on  the 10 kilometre peg along the Gweru-Mvuma Road.

“They cannot continue dilly dally­ing anymore . . . enough is enough. I will declare sooner or later the dates for elections,” said President Mugabe.
“We are going for elections and those drafting the Constitution will be getting reports from the parties. The process should be finished soon.”

President Mugabe said if Copac continued delaying the process, he would be forced to dissolve Parlia­ment and announce dates for the elections set for next year.
“I know there are some people who do not want the inclusive Gov­ernment to end because they know the elec­tions will bring to an end their politi­cal careers,” he said.

“There are some people who will be rejected thoroughly by the people if we go for the elections. If it was burial, it would be more than six feet.”
The parties in the inclusive Govern­ment failed to come up with a com­mon position during the Copac All Second Stakeholders Conference last month.

Zanu-PF came up with a number of changes it wanted to be effected into the Copac draft constitution, while the MDC formations endorsed the docu­ment in its entirety.
An inter-ministerial committee comprising Cde Patrick Chinamasa (Zanu-PF), Mr Tendai Biti (MDC-T), Mrs Pricilla Misihairabwi Mushonga (MDC) and the three Copac co-chair­persons was set up.

Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga chairs the committee.

Meanwhile, President Mugabe criti­cised war veterans for splitting the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association into feud­ing camps.
“The issue is clear for you . . . you were the people who were put on the forefront during the fight for libera­tion and why are you divided today. Lifuni kuenzani?” he asked.
The conference will be officially closed by President Mugabe today.