Mnangagwa was addressing thousands pf people during the
main Independence Day celebrations held in Mt Darwin, Mashonaland Central
province.
“As the harmonised general elections draw nearer, I call on
the nation to remain vigilant and protect our hard-won Independence. No voices,
foreign or local, inclusive of rogue NGOs, should sow seeds of division and
disharmony among us. Unity and peace should be preached in our families,
churches and communities. Dialogue and tolerance have been the hallmark of the
Second Republic,” Mnangagwa said.
His statements follow a plot by Zanu PF to use its
parliamentary majority to railroad the Private Voluntary Organisations
Amendment (PVOs) Bill to regulate the operations of NGOs.
Government has often accused NGOs of pushing a regime
change agenda.
Critics, however, said the relentless attack on NGOs is an
attempt to close the democratic space and silence critics for exposing
corruption and mis-governance.
Mnangagwa, who has been endorsed as Zanu PF’s presidential
candidate, acknowledged the presence of former Vice-President Joice Mujuru at
the independence celebrations.
Promising to deliver a free and fair election, Mnangagwa
said: “My government has put measures in place to ensure free, fair and
credible elections.”
Addressing a largely unresponsive crowd, he continued: “We
must all say: No to violence, before, during and after elections. As one
people, united under one national flag, let us defend and entrench our
democracy, which was brought about by the blood, sweat and tears of the vast
people of Zimbabwe.”
Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans must vote to “defend the country
from outside forces.”
“As we go to elections, let us all affirm this with our
vote and declare that Zimbabwe shall forever be free. Zimbabwe shall forever be
sovereign. Zimbabwe shall forever be independent.”
Critics and the opposition have predicted a disputed
election citing lack of reforms and flawed electoral processes, among other
impediments. Newsday
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