MDC leader Nelson Chamisa has accused President Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s government of betraying the vision of Zimbabwe’s liberation heroes
by presiding over the collapse of the economy.
Chamisa, who has in recent weeks escalated his dispute with
Mnangagwa over last year’s disputed elections, said the country’s political and
economic crisis can only be resolved by a genuine dialogue.
In a message to mark Heroes Day today, the MDC leader said
Zimbabwans did not deserve to be wallowing in poverty.
“Today, this once breadbasket of Africa is now a basket
case,” Chamisa said.
“Surely, this stands out as a betrayal of the ideals of the
liberation struggle. Incredibly, Zimbabwe houses vast wealth, exceptionally
talented human resources, rich minerals, fertile lands and natural wonders.
“The opportunities for economic transformation and
prosperity are limitless and immediately available if we have a people’s
government, one that cares about the nation.
“The population of our young and very educated people makes
an ambitious economic growth path more certainly achievable in our lifetime.”
Chamisa accuses Mnangagwa of rigging last year’s elections.
Last week he announced that the MDC would start staging
demonstrations against the Zanu PF government on Friday to protest the
deterioirating economic situation in the country.
“My fellow citizens, nothing short of a political solution
through national dialogue will extricate our country from the jaws of
impoverishment and suffering,” he said.
“We must have genuine comprehensive political and electoral
reforms to transform our country and make it prosperous again
“Let us be the heroes of our time by bringing back that
glitter, glamour and glory to our motherland.
“The cost of doing nothing far exceeds the cost of doing
something. We must change our unmerited circumstances and harsh realities of
joblessness, hopelessness and poverty. That work begins today by fixing our
politics and governance deficits.”
MDC has refused to join the current dialogue between
Mnangagwa and leaders of political parties that took part in last year’s
elections, demanding a neutral convenor for the talks.
Meanwhile, Chamisa said his party was worried about the
plight of war veterans whom he said were wallowing in poverty.
He said the war veterans’ vision for a free Zimbabwe had
been betrayed by “selfish and greedy politicians”.
“Their plight is of immediate national concern,” Chamisa
said.
“It is heart-wrenching to note that war veterans who were
at the centre of the struggle for our independence are living under squalid
conditions and without any social or economic support from the state.”
The war veterans say the government is neglecting them and
want their pensions reviewed.
“The men and women who fought for the independence of this
country from colonial rule had a vision and aspirations. Sadly that vision has
being shattered by criminal behaviour and selfish, personal pursuits for
wealth,” Chamisa added.
“The vision that has been set by our forefathers and yet betrayed
by their successors is not far beyond our reach, but only if we start working
now.”
He said an MDC government would ensure that the whole of
August would be set aside to celebrate the former freedom fighters.Standard
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