THE breakaway MDC-T led by Thokozani Khupe yesterday
launched its election manifesto with devolution of power and a pledge to fight
corruption topping the list of priorities, once elected into government.
The manifesto — titled, Building an Economy to Support
Economic Transformation (BEST) — was launched at the Amphitheatre in Bulawayo
at an event attended by several thousands of the party’s supporters.
Khupe, who has been endorsed as the party’s presidential
candidate, said once elected into office, the MDC-T would resuscitate social
services such as education and health, deal with corruption, resuscitate the
agricultural and mining sectors, revive industries, restore normalcy to the
financial sector and offer free internet for all, among other promises.
“A vote for MDC-T is a vote for devolution,” Khupe said in
her address, adding devolution was necessary to address historical
inequalities, social and economic exclusion of other provinces.
“In their infinite wisdom drawn from practical experience,
Zimbabweans opted for a devolved system of local government and included it in
the country’s constitution.
“Five years later, Zimbabweans have not enjoyed the
benefits of devolution as the present government of Zanu PF has yet again
denied the people their constitutional right.”
The constitution, under chapter 14, guarantees devolution
of power, but little or nothing has been done to operationalise the
decentralisation of government. Instead, government has appointed provincial
ministers of state.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa once said government did not
have money to implement devolution of power despite the state blowing millions
on several other projects such as buying top-of-the-range vehicles.
Khupe pledged to tackle corruption, blaming it for the
widespread economic destruction and poverty, adding her party would craft tough
anti-corruption laws, jail offenders while also forfeiting to the state
identified looted assets.
“Since grand political corruption and poor socio-economic
policies are partly responsible for economic destruction, and massive poverty,
the MDC-T government will strengthen measures to curb corruption and recover
looted public assets. Strict anti-corruption laws shall be enforced in order to
cultivate an ethic of honesty, integrity, hard work and selfless service,”
Khupe said.
“Proceeds of corruption and all other criminal and illicit
activities must be forfeited to the state without fear or favour.
“All persons who would have been convicted of any acts of
corruption will be severely punished and the punishment will be commensurate
with the level of seriousness of the acts of corruption for which they would
have been convicted of after due process by a competent court of law.”
Zimbabwe has been ranked top on corruption, with former
president Robert Mugabe and his successor often pledging to fight the vice.
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