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“It is a great violation of human rights because many lives are at stake. Those who imposed sanctions should feel guilty because many people lost jobs and are suffering,” he said.
He said such countries would not be part of the election observer teams.
He told Australian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Matthew Neuhaus when he paid a courtesy call at his Zanu-PF offices that the illegal sanctions had caused unnecessary suffering on the generality of the population.
Cde Moyo said it was surprising that Australia joined the bandwagon to impose sanctions on Zimbabwe when the matter at stake was a bilateral issue between Zimbabwe and Britain.
“We have nothing against Australia. Not at all. We do not see the reason why Australia should be against us,” he said.
He said the last four and-a-half years under the inclusive Government the country had recorded steady economic growth adding the situation would have been much better without “the comprehensive sanctions on Zimbabwe”.
Commenting on the harmonised elections, Cde Moyo said the elections would be peaceful, free and fair.
“Of great importance to us is that we are going to hold peaceful, free and fair elections. There is so much tranquility in the provinces,” he said.
Cde Moyo said Zanu-PF was only worried that other political parties like the MDC-T were shying away from preaching messages of peace. He cited MDC-T youth chairman Solomon Madzore as having incited violence during the launch of the MDC-T campaign manifesto in Marondera at the weekend.
“We were surprised when their youth leader said the MDC-T was ready to shed blood. The statement is not helpful,” he said.
He said Zanu-PF was also concerned by MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai when he said whoever wins the elections would not be legitimate.
Cde Moyo said countries that imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe would not be invited to observe elections.
“Those who imposed sanctions will not be invited. We are of the opinion that continued sanctions means there is an agenda. We do not know why sanctions should continue,” he said.
Mr Neuhaus said his government was talking to all the parties contesting in the harmonised elections urging them to have peaceful elections.
He said his government was reviewing the sanctions on Zimbabwe hence the removal of some people on the travel restrictions list and the re-establishment of the Zimbabwe-Australia business council.
He said the forthcoming elections were important for the future bilateral relations of the two states.
“These elections are important for our future relations. There are now more black Zimbabweans in Australia than white Rhodesians. We also have a black Zimbabwean in our foreign service,” he said.
He inquired on whether Zanu-PF would include people from other parties if it wins the elections to which Cde Moyo said the party had never excluded anyone whose agenda dovetails with that of Zanu-PF.
“We do not see why after elections we should ostracise anybody. We hope the people will accept the outcome of the elections,” he said.
Responding to a question on whether Zimbabwe and SADC were still together, Cde Moyo said Zimbabwe as one of the founders of the bloc was happy to belong to the regional family.
“We will not allow external forces to divide us. As SADC we are a solid family. We are aware of some forces trying to divide us,” he said.
Online Reporter