
The former Vice-President made the claims during the
official launch of her party in Harare, where she pledged to retain the bloated
government if she wins next year’s presidential elections.
“We believe calls to trim the civil service are not
informed by the reality of service delivery on the ground. While there may be
scope for rationalisation of the civil service, we don’t believe the government
is overstaffed. Inability to pay should not be confused with overstaffing,” she
said.
“The civil service has for long been viewed as the most
stable employer at least until recently. Those offering credit will offer zero
deposit facilities to civil servants reflecting the perceived low risk, but not
anymore, as announcements of pay dates monthly has sadly become nothing to
celebrate.”
Mujuru said NPP was still open to coalition negotiations
and called for patience among her supporters.
“NPP, as a people-centred party, we believe that we have
overstretched your patience, but remember we are from different parties with
different backgrounds and negotiations seem to take a bit longer than
anticipated. We are working on modalities for this grand coalition and I can
assure you that this time you will cross to the promised land of flowing milk
and honey.”
Mujuru also pledged to re-engage the international
community, including the Commonwealth, as part of efforts to rebuild the
economy and discard the controversial indigenisation law.
She said she was committed to the reconciliation agenda,
reviving the economy, curbing corruption, repatriating stolen wealth by Zanu PF
officials and respecting the rule of law and constitutionalism.
In his solidarity message, MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai,
who received a standing ovation from the packed convention, said he agreed with
Mujuru’s message and that the door was still open for coalition negotiations.
“I was listening to the proposals that you were making, Cde
president, and I see no conflict with our ideals and values as MDC-T and so
where is the problem? We cannot be divided on the basis of personality and if
we agree that this is the direction we are going to face as a country, why
don’t we put these efforts together?”
“Last week, we launched the MDC Alliance as a coalition of
agreed parties. We said at the time we believe in the big tent, we believe in
the unity of Zimbabwe and that 2018 is the only opportunity for the democratic
opposition in this country to win power. NPP is not our enemy, Zanu PF is our
enemy,” he said.
Other party leaders, who attended the inaugural convention,
are Dumiso Dabengwa of Zapu, Jacob Ngarivhume of Transform Zimbabwe, Farai
Mbira of Zimbabweans United for Democracy, Gilbert Dzikiti of Democratic
Assembly for Restoration and Empowerment and Lucia Matibenga of the People’s
Democratic Party.
The NPP convention confirmed Mujuru as party leader,
deputised by Samuel Sipepa Nkomo and John Mvundura. newsday
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