Use own funds for polls, State told

outsiders could bring conditions at variance with national aspirations.

This comes in the wake of a pledge by Sadc to convene a special summit on Zimbabwe to co-ordinate efforts to mobilise resources to finance the polls that are constitutionally due as the life of the Seventh Parliament draws to a close.

“We should mobilise our own resources to be the financier of our elections,” said Zanu-PF national spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo.

“Why should we depend on outsiders? Sadc can only complement. I spoke to Patrick Chinamasa yesterday (Monday) and he told me that he was looking for money for the elections. It makes us proud as a country to do things for ourselves than depend on others.”

He dismissed claims by Finance Minister Tendai Biti that there was no money internally to fund the process.

Political analyst and Midlands State University lecturer, Mr Christopher Gwatidzo said the country had the capacity to raise the money internally.

“We believe we can mobilise the money that is required internally. In fact we may get to the said summit itself with a report that we have raised sufficient funds for the elections.

“It remains entirely our responsibility to raise all the money that is required. As a sovereign nation we also have the capacity to stop any initiatives in the case that Sadc gives us financial resources but has put conditions, we can say no.

“Whatever issues they may raise with us, we want to believe that first and foremost they have to acknowledge the immense progress like electoral provisions that are already in compliance with the Sadc guidelines and principles guiding democratic elections.

“Any effort that may come from a Sadc Summit should be limited to issues that do not result in interference. Zimbabwe will obviously reject any effort to undermine its national sovereignty,” said Mr Gwatidzo.

Zimbabwe Union of Democrats founder and war veteran, Mrs Margaret Dongo said any attempts by Sadc to put conditions on the fund should be rejected.

She added that any support by Sadc should be cognisant of the fact that time was running out for the inclusive Government.

“We appreciate what Sadc wants to do but it should be unconditional. What I hate is to get money with conditions. That is why we should run our elections independently. We understand that we may need support from Sadc because running an election is expensive the world over but that support should not have strings attached.

“If ever there is going to be that Summit they have to be cognisant of the fact that there is urgency since the life of Parliament is coming to an end.

“I am looking forward to the African Union and Sadc showing by example that they can be able to run their own African affairs because we have the resources,” said Mrs Dongo.

Government last month cancelled a request for election funding from the United Nations after the world body’s election assessment team rejected terms of reference that were laid down by the Government.

The UN team had overstepped its mandate, demanding to meet entities and civil society organisations with nothing to do with elections among them Zimbabwe Election Support Network, Nango, Women’s Coalition and academia representatives.