Referendum set for May

The GPA, he said, was not signed to craft a new Constitution.
He said the parties had agreed to go for an election using the Kariba Draft, but changed after civil society complained that it was left out.
“We decided to go for an outreach programme to get the people’s views. We are now trying to enunciate what the people said and we are not agreeing. They are delaying the process arguing on small matters, but we are saying no, no, no. They are out of step.

“We must conclude this process. If they haven’t finished in time, we will do it our way. If they reject the Constitution, we will go back to the Lancaster House Constitution, which gave us our independence. That is what we are going to tell the facilitator.”
President Mugabe said the acceptance or rejection of the new Constitution will clear the way for an election.
“Their days are numbered and one should expect that by May we have a referendum. It is this referendum that should give us the way forward,” he said.

President Mugabe said Zimbabwe should go for elections as was resolved by the party’s National People’s Conference in Bulawayo last year.
“I am told that there are some among us who do not want elections this year. Kana muripo, endai munojoina MDC,” he said.
He said elections will bring a Government that is not affected by divergent views.

“(Finance Minister Tendai) Biti said $20 million had been given to distressed companies in Bulawayo, but we understand that not even a cent has been sent there.
“This Government is a Government of negatives. It’s a Government of people who do not want to do things for the people. We want to move on unhindered by little thoughts and in some cases sheer ignorance,” he said.

The President said GPA principals were ready to take over the Constitution-making process.
“Bring the document we will complete it ourselves. We have done it before. There are many drafters who can do the job,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Mugabe has bemoaned the number of accidents that have claimed lives on Zimbabwe’s roads.

“The roads must be attended to, but it’s not only the bad roads but the way our drivers perform on the roads.
“There are so many buses on our roads, so we must brace for more accidents,” he said.
President Mugabe said Zimbabwe will once again face food shortages due to erratic supply of inputs.

He, however, hailed Zimbabwean farmers for working hard in producing cash crops and food.
“I do not think in the whole of Southern Africa, I am even tempted to say the whole of Africa, there is a community of farmers that are dedicated and focused as ourselves,” he said.

The President, however, bemoaned the lack of support for farmers from the inclusive Government.
“We are lacking, lacking in effort and spirit to do the right thing. Lacking to the point of being irresponsible.”

He also castigated Zanu-PF leaders who abused the Presidential Inputs Scheme. He said the indigenisation and   empowerment drive was continuing.
“It is a beginning to chart an irreversible path,” he said.
President Mugabe urged the banking sector to support people who wanted to start businesses.