PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa\u2019s administration has shot down a proposal by the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations for a seven year moratorium on all electoral processes in Zimbabwe to allow for reconstruction and reform.<\/p>\n
Early this week the clerics group proposed that a referendum be held to get citizens\u2019 buy-in for the idea that would include the country\u2019s main opposition MDC in an arrangement that sounds like another government of national unity but now code named national transitional authority.<\/p>\n
Information permanent secretary Nick Mangwana said although the clergymen\u2019s proposal is good on paper it goes again the letter and spirit of the Constitution.<\/p>\n
He argued President Mnangagwa who won controversial elections last year whose result was rejected by his biggest challenger the MDC\u2019s Nelson Chamisa should be allowed to finish his term.<\/p>\n
\u201cPresident Mnangagwa was sworn in to govern the country. He took an oath to obey and uphold the Constitution of Zimbabwe and not to suspend it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe effect of the celestial intervention from heads of churches whilst coming from a good place is at odds with the provisions of our constitution,\u201d said Mangwana.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 39 years of Independence, Zimbabwe has always held elections when they were due, in some cases a bit early but in terms of the law. But never later than due. The 2nd Republic has no intention of starting now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chamisa is reportedly studying the proposal but seems to be warming up to it despite reservations from other sections of his party. The opposition leader however has indicated the issue of Mnangagwa\u2019s legitimacy should be key to any dialogue and arrangement thereof.<\/p>\n
MDC secretary general Chalton Hwende in an interview with NewZimbabwe.com echoed the same sentiments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are studying the proposal together with other proposals that have been made to resolve the Zimbabwean crisis.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must resolve the legitimacy crisis so that the people\u2019s victory and vote is protected. So any effort by any Zimbabwean to resolve the current impasse and crisis within the confines of our Constitution is welcome,\u201d Hwende said.<\/p>\n
Mnangagwa has set up what has become known as the political actors dialogue platform involving all presidential candidates to last year\u2019s elections.<\/p>\n
While Chamisa was invited the MDC leader rejected this characterising the gatherings as a waste of time.<\/p>\n
Chamisa instead wants dialogue convened by what he calls \u201ca neutral arbiter.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa\u2019s administration has shot down a proposal by the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations for a seven year moratorium on all electoral processes in Zimbabwe to allow for reconstruction and reform. Early this week the clerics group proposed that a referendum be held to get citizens\u2019 buy-in for the idea that would include […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":8229,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,12],"tags":[113,34,88],"class_list":{"0":"post-14662","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-all-news","8":"category-policy","9":"tag-chamisa","10":"tag-emmerson-mnangagwa","11":"tag-mdc"},"yoast_head":"\n