‘Invoke Constitution to oust Mugabe’

via ‘Invoke Constitution to oust Mugabe’ – NewsDay Zimbabwe September 23, 2015 by Blessed Mhlanga

MDC-T youths have called on their legislators to invoke some sections of the Constitution to oust President Robert Mugabe from power over his alleged inability to properly perform his duties.

Gweru-based lawyer and MDC-T youth spokesperson Brian Dube said recent events point to an incapacitated person holding the Office of the President and therefore should be sacked.

“The President must be removed from office in terms of Section 97(1)(d) of the Constitution for the following reason: Inability to perform the functions of the office because of physical or mental incapacity,” Dube said in a statement.

The MDC-T youths have been angered by Mugabe’s recent move to appoint 14 ministers at a time the Civil Service Commission was planning to retrench workers to reduce its wage bill.

“The President has lost the sense of responsibility.

“He is no longer able to tell what is necessary, justifiable or correct. As everyone, including government, has been cutting jobs and slashing salaries because of the economy, the President decided to add 14 more ministers to his Cabinet, whose packages require an extra $5 million in 30 days. What is clear from this is that the President is no longer a responsible person, but a wasteful nonagenarian who no longer has a sense of value,” he said.

As opposition activists continue piling pressure on Mugabe to quit his post, Zanu PF legislators on the other hand want him to be the party’s candidate for 2018 at a ripe age of 94.

Mugabe, who recently read a wrong speech while officially opening Parliament, has also been accused of taking naps in public, Cabinet and other official meetings.

“The President is old, tired and no longer able to properly exercise his duties. Every time he sits down, he just sleeps. In Parliament he sleeps, at Heroes Acre he sleeps, at international summits he sleeps. He sleeps every time and everywhere, which shows he is tired,” Dube argued.

Higher Education minister Jonathan Moyo said it would be divisive for anyone in Zanu PF to talk about Mugabe’s exit especially at a time he still has three years into his five-year term.

Dube, however, says if parliamentarians were honest about reviving the fortunes of Zimbabwe they should sit jointly and boot out Mugabe.

“A joint resolution by Senate and National Assembly must be passed by half of their total membership to remove the President from office. In fact, Parliament is letting the nation down by failing to pass a resolution to that effect. Zimbabwe cannot move forward with Mugabe in office as he has lost all competence,” Dube said. Zanu PF enjoys a two-thirds majority in both Senate and House of Assembly.