Motion against polls shot down

held this year.
Senators from the two MDC formations ganged up in calling for the deferment of the forthcoming elections arguing that the environment was not conducive for the polls.
But Zanu-PF Senators shot down the motion, saying the three political parties to the inclusive Government had agreed to review it after two years.
They said the call by President Mugabe for the elections was in line with the agreement signed by the parties.
In her motion, Emganwini Senator Sphiwe Ncube (MDC-T) said elections in the past have been characterised by hostilities and violence.
The debate was charasterised by heckling and Senate Vice President Cde Naison Ndlovu was forced to reprimand the Senators. In her motion, Sen Ncube said it would not be prudent for Zimbabwe to hold elections, at least for now, until a clear roadmap to the polls has been put in place.
“Civil servants want money, why not take that money to be used for the elections to pay civil servants,” she said.
Sen Ncube said elections have been associated with closure of schools and this had an adverse effect on pupils.
“This affects the smooth flow of learning. I am convinced that if there is to be a referendum, people would say no to holding of elections,” she said.
Zvimba Senator Virginia Muchenje (Zanu-PF) said the GPA was clear that the performance of the inclusive Government would be reviewed after two years.
“We have our national leaders who met and agreed that there should be an inclusive Government for two years. I now wonder what is now happening. Until when shall we have this kind of arrangement,” she said.
Sen Muchenje said the constitution making process is being stalled after some donors noted that the majority of contributions made came from Zanu-PF and not from their MDC allies.
“Donors are now withdrawing money because the contributions that were made are at variance with what they wanted,” she said.
Mount Darwin Senator Alice Chimbudzi said while the Constitution stipulates that elections should be held after every five years, the GPA provided for the review of the inclusive government after two years. She said it was therefore critical to respect the GPA. Sen Chimbudzi said elections are constitutional issues and what ought to be dealt with is the widespread violence associated with elections.
“It is us, the leaders, who should stop violence by talking to our supporters denouncing violence,” she said.
Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe Mudzi Senator Oriah Kabayinjiri said he was baffled by the level of political immaturity shown by the MDC and the misrepresentation of facts they were showing.
“No leader would ordinarily want elections often but there is a reason that is leading to this. Can you really say there has never been a free and fair election, that coming from an Honourable Member of this House?
“I am even baffled that some Senators, one of whom is a lawyer, is saying there are no sanctions yet even a child would testify to the existence of the embargo,” he said.
Matobo Senator Sithembile Mlotshwa (MDC) said there was nothing to be gained by holding elections time and again.
“Elections must not be forced on the people but they should demand for an election and not vice-versa,” she said.
Sen Mlotshwa said Zimbabwe should first conclude the constitution making process, adding that elections have seen some political players fanning violence. She surprised the House when she said the only credible elections held in the country were those held in 1980.