HARARE – Amending the structure to take away time period limits and permit President Emmerson Mnangagwa to run for workplace once more would deepen Zimbabwe’s worldwide isolation, MDC-T chief Douglas Mwonzora has warned.
Zanu PF MPs have laid out plans to additionally prolong the life of the present parliament.
“Zimbabwe is under international isolation. If we read the documents that established that isolation, ZDERA for example, and comments by the Commonwealth, we find out that one of the reasons we are under international isolation is the dearth of democratic practices,” Mwonzora advised a information convention in Harare on Wednesday
“What this amendment will do is to cement Zimbabwe’s image as a pariah state. Zimbabwe will remain under sanctions and we think this is selfish on the part of those fighting for a third term.”
Mnangagwa has used a number of platforms, together with an interview with CNN, to insist that he’s a “constitutionalist” and can solely serve the utmost two five-year phrases.
But Mwonzora says his actions have betrayed him because the driving pressure behind the push to “desecrate the constitution” by eradicating time period limits.
“In our view the president is indicating right while turning left. MPs want an additional unearned term because some of them are now unelectable. The claim that they have run the country so well Mnangagwa deserves a third term is not true. The commonman and the commonwoman are not experiencing any of this,” Mwonzora stated.
Having participated within the drafting of the brand new structure which got here into impact in 2013, Mwonzora stated the doc “stands amongst the best in the world” and the imposition of time period limits was a deliberate resolution by Zimbabweans who didn’t desire a repeat of Robert Mugabe’s 37-year reign.
“Our constitution is sacrosanct, and its integrity must be preserved,” Mwonzora stated.
Mnangagwa has hosted a celebration for MPs at State House, given all MPs rice to distribute of their constituencies and final week invited them to his farm in Kwekwe. Mwonzora stated these have been the strikes of somebody orchestrating the time period extension, slightly than passively watching on as his loyalists push the agenda.
“They are sacrificing principles on the alter of individual gain,” he stated.
“We are going to make preparations for a “No” vote in the course of the referendum. In this case there might be two referendums, the primary could be a query on whether or not the time period must be prolonged or not. We will be a part of forces with whoever needs to hitch forces with us to struggle this third time period which quantities to desecration of the structure.
“There will be a second referendum because the constitution says that even if there is an extension of a term, that extension cannot benefit the incumbent. There would need to be that referendum this time specifically stating whether or not Mnangagwa must stand again. These two referendums must not be held within six months of each other.”
Mwonzora stated Mnangagwa’s supporters have been ignoring his age whereas pushing the nation into dynastic politics.
“Let’s not ignore the biological issues. When his term ends, he will be 86. At the time the additional term ends he will be 91. Zimbabweans never voted in the constitution that they want to be ruled by geriatrics,” he stated.
Zimbabweans are affected by financial hardships made worse by overtaxation, low pensions and the elevating of the pensionable age to 70, Mwonzora stated.
“These are the issues our MPs must be grappling with. This parliament is the worst parliament in living memory. It’s time for other leaders,” he added.