Radio Dialogue Giving you a voice
South African President and SADC’s facilitator in Zimbabwe Jacob Zuma should not be blindfolded by the near completion of the constitution making process but should insist on serious security sector reforms by parties in the inclusive government before elections, urges independent organisations.
President Zuma is in the country on mission to assess progress in the implementation of the Global Political Agreement by Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations.
On Wednesday after meeting the principals Zuma said he was satisfied with the progress although he conceded that there were some “hitches” that needed to be addressed.
However, Masakheneni Trust director Dumisani Mpofu said SADC should press ahead with a clear election roadmap that will ensure peaceful free and fair elections.
“I think he (President Zuma) might be having wrong information about what is happening on the ground, because if you look at areas like Matabeleland North you still have those problems where public meetings are being banned and you need to seek clearance and all sorts of things, I think it’s even getting worse,” said Mpofu.
He further accused the GPA parties of diverting attention from critical outstanding issues to biker over the constitution making process by making fresh submissions way after the completion of the negotiation process concerning the draft document.
Ibhtshu Likazulu member Mbuso Fuzwayo shared the view and indicated that without security sector reforms any electoral process in Zimbawe would be marred with violence.
“As long as the members of the force still have that mind set of wanting to stop defeat of Zanu-PF, then elections should never be held entirely,” he said.
“While it is health for parties to argue over this and that, they need to put emphasis on creating a favourable political environment for the holding of elections in this country.”
