IN a rare show of solidarity, incoming Zanu PF leader
Emmerson Mnangagwa’s team yesterday met MDC-T legislators and agreed to jointly
support a motion to impeach President Robert Mugabe, whom they labelled as the
country’s “common enemy”.
This came as Zanu PF spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo
confirmed in a statement that Mugabe had not tendered his resignation by midday
yesterday as demanded by the party’s central committee.
Zanu PF legal affairs deputy secretary Munyaradzi Paul
Mangwana confirmed yesterday that they had met MDC-T legislators to come up
with a common position on Mugabe’s looming impeachment today.
“Yes, I am just coming from a meeting now and we have
agreed in principle to work together. We have a common agenda. The opposition
has 73 votes which we need and we have agreed to continue discussions,” he
said.
MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora confirmed the
discussions, but indicated that his party had tabled certain conditions for
co-operation with their Zanu PF counterparts in Mugabe’s removal.
“For MDC-T, there is no difference to us who the president
of Zanu PF is if the political environment is not addressed. While we would
like to help in removing Mugabe, it is important that we take advantage of the
situation created by the military to set standards that put our country on a
firm foundation towards real democracy,” he said.
Mwonzora added that the MDC-T would demand undertakings for
a United Nations-supervised poll, among other things.
“The statements attributed to Zanu PF leaders to the effect
that they do not need us in removing Mugabe were unfortunate and we deserve an
apology. The MDC-T has never asked for a coalition government, but we want a
transitional arrangement that will create conditions for free, fair and
credible elections that are supervised by the international community,” he
said.
He said the MDC-T was also demanding the reform of the
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) and a hands-free approach to electoral
issues by the security services.
“We also need a plan to arrest the economic decline and
poverty that has ravaged our people. The security services must establish
satisfactory and credible mechanisms for the elimination of pre and
post-electoral violence. Our security services shall play no role in elections
except that which is prescribed by the Constitution. Zec must be institutionally
reformed to turn it into a credible poll management body and there must be
reasonable access to all electoral material by all stakeholders,” he said.
Mangwana was confident the parties would vote together.
“This (Mugabe’s removal) is a matter of common concern and
there are no conditions set. If anything, interactions between the parties had
already started way before this, under the auspices of the Zimbabwe Institute,”
Mangwana said.
Khaya Moyo added that there was no going back on plans to
impeach Mugabe and recall him from his lofty government position following a
week of dramatic events which involved intervention by the military to restore
political stability in the country.
Mugabe was on Sunday deposed as Zanu PF leader following a
special session of the ruling party’s central committee. He was replaced by
Mnangagwa, his former trusted lieutenant, whom he fired as the Zanu PF
succession fights turned septic.
“Pursuant to the decision of the Zanu PF central committee
entered on November 19, 2017, recalling Cde Robert Mugabe from the position of
President and first secretary of Zanu PF, the party wishes to announce that Cde
R G Mugabe has been formally notified of the decision this morning,” Khaya Moyo
said.
“As for that, the party has instructed the chief whip
(Lovemore Matuke) to proceed with impeachment processes against Cde R G Mugabe
as it has not received the anticipated confirmation of his resignation from the
Speaker of Parliament.”
He added: “A caucus of the Zanu PF parliamentarians is
currently underway in pursuit of the resolutions by the special session of the
central committee to initiate impeachment processes. The motion of proceedings
is expected to be tabled before Parliament when it sits on November 21, 2017
(today).”
Zanu PF sources said a resolution had also been made to
snub Mugabe’s Cabinet meeting scheduled for 9am today.
“We have been directed that there would be another party
caucus tomorrow at midday before Parliament resumes sitting and everyone,
including ministers, is expected to attend without fail,” NewsDay heard.
It would be the first time Mugabe is snubbed by his
subordinates since taking power 37 years ago. Mugabe’s problems were triggered
by his decision to fire Mnangagwa two weeks ago forcing the military to
intervene “to pacify the situation” last week.
Mugabe has since the operation been under “house arrest”
only allowed to leave his private home in brief moments.
However, the 93-year-old ailing Mugabe in a televised
speech on Sunday night seemed to suggest that he was still in charge of both
government and party business. Newsday
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