Sadc parties commend poll preps

Pretoria that they wished local political parties the best as they moved towards elections.
The endorsement of Zanu-PF by the regional leaders flies in the face of an offensive launched recently by MDC-T to turn them against the liberation party as the country approaches the constitutional referendum next Saturday and elections thereafter.
MDC-T sent emissaries to most countries in the region with an anti-Zanu-PF message.
The support given to Zanu-PF comes as Britain and the European Union are trying to discredit the party ahead of the elections.
British ambassador Ms Deborah Bronnert said on Tuesday that her country would only recognise local elections as free and fair if EU and US observers were invited.
This was after the Government indicated that it invited observers from the region, Comesa, the African Union and other friendly countries, leaving out the EU and the US.
The former liberation movements’ summit was attended by President Mugabe who is the President and First Secretary of Zanu-PF, President Jacob Zuma of the ANC of South Africa and President Jakaya Kikwete, the chairman for Chama Cha Mapinduzi of Tanzania.
Namibian Prime Minister Hage Geingob represented Swapo, Frelimo of Mozambique was represented by its secretary-general Cde Filipe Paunde and MPLA of Angola was represented by secretary-general Cde Juliao Mateus.
“We commend Zanu-PF for their leadership and for guiding the country towards elections,” the leaders said.
“We commend Sadc for its continued support to the government and the people of Zimbabwe as they move towards the referendum on March 16th 2013 and later the elections.”
The parties agreed to work together in realising the objective of building a political school in Tanzania.
The movements expressed “great sadness at the loss of President (Hugo) Chavez and extend our condolences to his family and the people of Venezuela”.
The parties met to strengthen and consolidate relations among themselves and adopt further strategies towards the establishment of their political school.
Speaking to local journalists after the meeting, Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa said they looked at each of the six participating countries’ report on their political, social and economic situation.
“In our case we looked at the impending referendum,” he said. “We reported to them that we do not think there will be any problems because all the parties seem to agree.
“We also looked at the forthcoming general elections and we were happy with the response with which our colleagues and the summit received the report.”
Cde Mutasa said the summit raised concern about non-governmental organisations’ interferences in their domestic affairs.
Speaking to journalists before the summit, President Zuma said the position of the former liberation movements should be consolidated.
“We will discuss our position on issues and challenges we are faced with,” he said. “We are still looked at as a collective historical entity.
“It is an important summit because Southern Africa in its own is a unique area in terms of our national liberation movements.”
Secretaries of the liberation movement had been meeting since Wednesday in preparation for the summit.
Before holding the closed door summit, President Mugabe, President Zuma and those who represented the other liberation movements toured the Freedom Park where they laid wreaths on the Isivivane shrine.
The sacred shrine represents those who died while fighting for liberation in countries in the region.
Zanu-PF was also represented by secretary for commissariat Cde Webster Shamu and secretary for information and publicity Cde Rugare Gumbo.