via Tsvangirai vows to lead MDC until 2016 | SW Radio Africa by Tichaona Sibanda September 18, 2013
The MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai on Wednesday categorically made it clear he will not be forced to step down before his term comes to an end in 2016.
“I am not going to step aside because newspapers say you should step aside…because ZANU PF says you should step aside. Where is that mandate?” asked Tsvangirai during a press conference.
He added: “If you believe in democratic principles, you use democratic means, which means they’re forums and programs where you put yourself up for election.”
Tsvangirai, who announced his new shadow cabinet during the press conference in Harare, said he cannot ‘abandon’ people in the middle of a struggle just “to satisfy ZANU PF, newspapers and certain individuals with a grudge against me.”
“I don’t intend to stay any day longer beyond my mandate. We are discussing this in the MDC openly unlike in other parties where its almost like taboo, even when one is almost 90 years old…it cannot be discussed,” he said.
He explained that the reason why he’s staying put is the fact the July election was stolen by ZANU PF. He also questioned the integrity of those asking for leadership renewal barely two years after being re-elected party leader.
“I was elected by congress of party delegates in 2006 and 2011. Next is 2016 and for somebody to ask me to abandon the responsibility and mandate I was given two years ago is not only irresponsible on my part, it is a betrayal of the people’s expectations and aspirations,” the MDC-T leader added.
Since the elections, the party has held two council meetings at which the issue of leadership renewal was discussed. But none of the party officials put up a motion asking him to step down. In between congresses, council has the responsibility of making resolutions to change its leadership.
‘”There is no sacred issue to debate in the MDC. If there is need for leadership renewal, don’t suppress it, we actually encourage it. But you don’t just walk up in the street and say ‘Tsvangirai must go’. There are processes that should be instituted and there are forums that will make that decision, and one of them is the congress,” emphasized Tsvangirai.
The party leader announced his shadow cabinet amid intense speculation over who will scoop the top jobs. Nelson Chamisa and Tendai Biti bounced back as shadow ministers of Communications and Media and Finance and Economic Development respectively.
Other senior figures successfully appointed include former Cabinet ministers Gordon Moyo, Lucia Matibenga, sam Sipepa Nkomo, Tapiwa Mashakada, Joel Gabbuza and Paurina Mpariwa. New comers in the cabinet include Youth Aseembly chairman Solomon and Lilian Timveos, the only women provincial chairperson in the MDC-T and elected senator for Zvishavane.
MDC SHADOW MINISTERS
Portfolio Name
1. International Relations and Cooperation – Gordon Moyo
2. Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources – Thamsanqa Mahlangu
3. Finance and Economic Development – Tendai Biti
4. Defence – Gift Chimanikire
5. Health and Child Welfare – Ruth Labode
6. Basic Education – Concilia Chinanzvavana
7. Higher Education Science and Technology – Dr Matarutse
8. Local Government – Sesel Zvidzai
9. Transport – Elias Mudzuri
10. Communications – Nelson Chamisa
11. Mines and Minerals Development – AbednicoBhebhe
12. Energy and Power Development – Morgan Komichi
13. Agriculture, Land and Water Development – SipepaNkomo
14. Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs – Jesse Manjome
15. Home Affairs – LilianTimveos
16. Industry and Commerce – Tapiwa Mashakada
17. Labour, Employment and Social Security – Paurina Mpariwa
18. Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development – Lucia Matibenga
19. Youth, Sport, Arts & Culture – Solomon Madzore
20. Public Works and National Housing – Joel Gabbuza
21. Planning Commission: Jameson Timba, Theresa Makone, Douglas Mwonzora, Tongai Matutu and Elton Mangoma
COMMENTS
WHY WAS MATABELAND SOUTH LEFT OUT! IS IT BECAUSE IT LOST ALL SEATS TO ZANUPF! MAT NORTH HAS 4 IN THIS NEW SETUP! ARE YOU TELLING MAT SOUTH THAT THEY DONT HAVE PEOPLE WHO QUALIFY!ANOTHER COSTLY DECISION! PLEASE DONT TELL US THAT THERE ARE NO “EDUCATED” MEN AND WOMEN IN MAT SOUTH! THERE ARE! REMEMBER THE PRESIDENTS ASSERTION ON THE NUMBER OF WOMEN IN HIS CABINET! WE NEED AN EXPLANATION, SIR!
The Shadow Ministers were selected from elected members of Parliament. Because we do not have representatives from some provinces, you will not find them in this particular group because they were not elected into parliament. However, MDC members in Mat South, as in any other province, definitely have a stake in the governance of the country thereby remaining a formidable force for change. Thank you.
Thoght they had 2 Women elected under the womens quota! If they were not qualified, why were selected by the party!
@MDC ZIMBABWE
The Planning Commisssion!
It is a sad reflection on the depth of Zimbabwe’s political leadership (or lack thereof) that if you took the cabinet members from ALL the parties of the last government and tried to nominate a cabinet, this would be a difficult proposition. Biti, Coltart, Mzembi come to mind…after that you are scratching hard. Parliament of 1980-85 saw robust debate from both sides of the house, despite the small size and sometimes racist agenda of the RF opposition. Let us hope some of the new faces in this shadow cabinet can rise to the challenges that face our beloved country! So Bennett has been jettisoned?
My mistake. Bennett not in this psrliament of course. Hopefully my mistake is not a prophecy on future MDC leadership!
Iwe tsvangi nevanhu vako ndimi muno gara muchiti mugabe ngaabve asi pa zanu pf congress achinzi ngaarambe aripo,zvo rwadza ka nekuti zvava kwako