To Bob only those from Zvimba are citizens

via To Bob only those from Zvimba are citizens 04 August 2014

OPPOSITION leader, Tendai Biti, has hit out at President Robert Mugabe and his government for marginalising some parts of the country while leaving many others without basic necessities.

Addressing MDC Renewal Team Matabeleland North provincial council members at Lupane Hall over the weekend, Biti lamented the plight of people in the region who cannot acquire identification particulars and struggle with basics such as food, education and decent housing.

“Our people have become fourth class citizens in the country of their birth because the dictators have redefined the citizens as people from Zvimba alone,” he said.

Biti said it was heart-breaking to note that at least 69 percent of the people in Matabeleland North still used bush toilets while only 10 percent have access to electricity despite the fact it is generated at Hwange thermal station in the same province.

The former finance minister said the lack of such basic necessities had effectively rendered the people of Matabeleland stateless adding this was against the country’s Constitution and international human rights conventions.
“The marginalisation of this region has continued unabated causing a lot of suffering amongst the people,” he said.
“It is unfortunate that Zanu PF has continued to violate the will of the people who voted for devolution of power to ensure governance is localised to address issues affecting particular communities moving away from the one-size-fits-all approach.

“Sadly, the people in this province are killed more from snake bites, by lions, elephants and other wild animals as compared to other provinces. All these are just manifestations of underdevelopment because of the mismanagement of the economy by Zanu PF.”

Biti and several disgruntled senior MDC-T officials have ditched Morgan Tsvangirai after the former premier refused to step down and allow a new leadership to take over following last year’s electoral defeat to Mugabe.

He said the MDC Renewal Team was an idea whose hour had come adding the movement had been necessitated by the lack of difference between Tsvangirai and Zanu PF.

“There is violence, corruption, intolerance and leaders stay forever both in Zanu PF and in the MDC formation of Tsvangirai,” he said.

Party spokesperson Jacob Mafume said the Renewal Team had shifted from focussing on Zanu PF and Tsvangirai to concentrating on giving Zimbabweans hope.

“We are providing the answers ourselves. There has to be a third way, there has to be a renewal of strategy, a refocus of energy and resources from violence to upliftment of the people’s lives,” said Mafume.

Speaking at the same meeting, Lucia Matibenga, said the Renewal Team would act to stop the abuse of young girls by certain sect leaders and political leaders.

“When the MDC Renewal Team gets into the driving seat of the government we will ensure that all the culprits who rape young girls are brought to book and that justice is administered at all times,” she said.

“This is one of the reasons why we decided to part ways with Morgan Tsvangirai. He failed to provide answers to the suffering of our people. Clearly, he had no energy and capacity to fight for transformation.”

Other leaders including, deputy treasurer general Elton Mangoma and interim chairperson, Samuel Sipepa Nkomo, also spoke at the gathering.

The meeting was attended by Willias Madzimure, Interim Women’s Assembly leader Hon Evelyn Masaiti, Reggie Moyo, Rosylene Nkomo, Youth Assembly Secretary General Promise Mkwananzi (all members of Parliament) and Matabeleland North Provincial chairperson Sengezo Tshabangu.