OPPOSITION MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has described
proposals by the clergy for the suspension of elections for seven years as an
“extra-ordinary” and “difficult” ask, with legal and constitutional
ramifications.
Chamisa said the MDC remains open to suggestions to solve
the country’s multi-faceted crisis, but argued that any suspension of elections
would need a buy-in of Zimbabweans through platforms such as referendums.
The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD), a
grouping of the clergy made up of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference,
the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe and
the Union for the Development of Apostolic Churches in Zimbabwe, recently
called for a moratorium on elections and a unified approach in solving all
issues affecting the nation.
ZHOCD said the position was built on the proposal from the
Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations Episcopal Conference held at the
Large City Hall in Bulawayo in May this year.
“I acknowledge receipt of your communication, entitled Call
for national Sabbath for trust and confidence building, which I have read and
studied with great interest and deep introspection. I have also discussed it
with my colleagues in the leadership,” Chamisa wrote in his response to ZHOCD
executive secretary Kenneth Mtata on October 28.
“I observe that your call for the seven-year Sabbath is one
such proposition in response to the question. Although details are limited, I
observe that it calls for a halt in elections and electioneering for a period
of seven years. Without going into detail, I observe that it is an
extra-ordinary proposition. A very difficult proposition …
“This is because it has significant legal and
constitutional implications since our national Constitution provides for
regular elections. Such a proposition would have to be backed by the people of
Zimbabwe through the opposite platforms.”
Mtata yesterday confirmed receipt of Chamisa’s response
when contacted for comment.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has also rejected the calls
for the suspension of elections, describing the proposals as ultra vires the
country’s Constitution which calls for the holding of regular elections.
“This Constitution is the supreme law of Zimbabwe and any
law, practice, custom or conduct inconsistent with it is invalid to the extent
of the inconsistency,” Mnangagwa argued in his response.
Chamisa added that the MDC was indebted to the clergy for
expressing concerns over the country’s crisis, adding that the opposition party
will not stand “in the way of practical solutions … as long as such solutions
are based upon a constitutional mandate that is derived from the people of
Zimbabwe”.
“I am humbled by the effort you put into this call and by
your desire and commitment to Zimbabwe’s well-being and success during this
period of great difficulty. Personally, both as a man of faith and leader of
our party, the MDC, I’m greatly indebted to the scriptures and it is good to
see the clergy providing a guiding hand,” the MDC leader added.
“Our position is and has always been guided by the best
interest of Zimbabwe and our party’s founding democratic values and principles
which include, but not limited to, holding of regular, free and fair
elections.” Newsday
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