Hope is not lost – Tsvangirai

via Hope is not lost – Tsvangirai | The Zimbabwean by Clayton Masekesa 15.09.13

The MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai has said he has evidence on how the military was used to rig the 31 July harmonized elections and also how millions of money from diamonds mined in Chiadzwa were abused to fund Zanu PF’s election campaign.

Addressing its supporters who had gathered at Sakubva stadium to celebrate the party’s 14th anniversary today, Tsvangirai said the military recruited 35 000 youths who were forced to vote for Zanu (PF).

“We have information and evidence that there 35 000 youths were recruited in the military. This resulted in double voting and some others had numerous voting slips per person, clearly showing that there was massive rigging,” he said.

Tsvangirai said diamonds mined at Chiadzwa were sold to Angola and the proceeds were used to fund the Zanu (PF) election campaign including printing of the regalia.

“We have information that money from diamonds was abused and all the proceeds were channelled towards the Zanu (PF) campaign materials. The nation is crying foul that resources such as diamonds were used for wrong purposes,” said Tsvangirai amid a thunderous round of applause.

The MDC President added that Zanu (PF) paid NIKUV $35m dollars to rig the elections.

“It is sad that Zanu (PF) pays such money to NIKUV to rig elections, while we have people suffering. What kind of leadership qualities are that?” said Tsvangirai.

He said traditional leaders were abused by Zanu (PF) to force the villagers to vote the party against their wishes.

“The traditional leaders were told to force people to vote for Zanu (PF). We know that the villagers were afraid of their safety and they voted for Zanu (PF),”he added.

Tsvangirai, however, said hope is not lost for his party and said the party will continue fighting for the struggle to bring real change in the country.

“Mugabe and Zanu (PF) should know that they have formed a illegitimate cabinet and government that is against the wishes of the people,” he said.

“Yes, they might say that they are in control, but, I want to tell them that there is no power that is greater than the people’s will,” Tsvangirai said.

He said Zanu (PF) was faced by a crisis of national expectations.

“They have a dead cabinet and now that they are in power, we want them to deliver the promises that they made to the people,” he added.

Tsvangirai said the MDC was a mass movement and will be moving to the grassroots in all provinces strategizing and getting the views from the people on its quest to move forward.

“We shall pursue on our agenda of democracy and bringing change. We shall recover all what we lost and we shall over take all our enemies,” said Tsvangirai.