WASHINGTON —
The Zimbabwe National Students’ Union on Wednesday blasted the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formation of former Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai for sponsoring some so-called misguided elements in the organization to carry out parallel programmes to those being conducted by elected executives.
The student body charged that MDC-T officials including Nelson Chamisa, Dennis Murira and Promise Mkwananzi, are destabilizing the union. Chamisa and Mkwananzi are former leaders of the student union.
Speaking at a press conference in Harare, ZINASU President Pride Mkono lambasted Mkwananzi for “remaining stuck in a perennial student activist mode, continuing to be involved in the union’s business.”
Mkono who didn’t make light of the situation claiming that the MDC-T has been sending members of its Youth Assembly to ZINASU provincial structures masquerading as ZINASU members.
As a result of the interference, ZINASU said they have moved their annual congress from October 27th to November 22nd.
Mukono noted that his organization has tried without success to engage Mkwananzi, Chamisa and even MDC-T organizing secretary Tendai Biti on this matter.
MDC-T Youth Assembly secretary Promise Mkwananzi said the allegations by the student body are totally untrue.
Mkwananzi said he expected the current leadership to seek other ways to deal with any issues rather than talking to the media.
“We have always been responsive to anybody that approaches us. We have an open door policy at MDC and we believe sincerely and genuinely in the process of dialogue as a strategy for resolving whatever misunderstanding that arises,” said Mkwananzi.
He maintained that Mkono and other ZINASU leaders had not approached MDC-T structures to raise these grievances.
Meanwhile, speaking at their presser ZINASU spokesman Zacharia Mushawatu outlined the organization’s expectations on the 2014 national budget soon to be presented by Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa.
Among many issues, Mushawatu said they expected the minister to avail a minimum of $100 million for grants and loan scheme, provide resources for infrastructural development of the country's tertiary institutions, and avail proper funds for the government-run BEAM programmes for primary and secondary education.
ZINASU implored Minister Chinamasa to take a leaf from his predecessor Tendai Biti, who allocated 27% of the 2013 budget towards the education sector.
The student body charged that MDC-T officials including Nelson Chamisa, Dennis Murira and Promise Mkwananzi, are destabilizing the union. Chamisa and Mkwananzi are former leaders of the student union.
Speaking at a press conference in Harare, ZINASU President Pride Mkono lambasted Mkwananzi for “remaining stuck in a perennial student activist mode, continuing to be involved in the union’s business.”
Mkono who didn’t make light of the situation claiming that the MDC-T has been sending members of its Youth Assembly to ZINASU provincial structures masquerading as ZINASU members.
As a result of the interference, ZINASU said they have moved their annual congress from October 27th to November 22nd.
Mukono noted that his organization has tried without success to engage Mkwananzi, Chamisa and even MDC-T organizing secretary Tendai Biti on this matter.
MDC-T Youth Assembly secretary Promise Mkwananzi said the allegations by the student body are totally untrue.
Mkwananzi said he expected the current leadership to seek other ways to deal with any issues rather than talking to the media.
“We have always been responsive to anybody that approaches us. We have an open door policy at MDC and we believe sincerely and genuinely in the process of dialogue as a strategy for resolving whatever misunderstanding that arises,” said Mkwananzi.
He maintained that Mkono and other ZINASU leaders had not approached MDC-T structures to raise these grievances.
Meanwhile, speaking at their presser ZINASU spokesman Zacharia Mushawatu outlined the organization’s expectations on the 2014 national budget soon to be presented by Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa.
Among many issues, Mushawatu said they expected the minister to avail a minimum of $100 million for grants and loan scheme, provide resources for infrastructural development of the country's tertiary institutions, and avail proper funds for the government-run BEAM programmes for primary and secondary education.
ZINASU implored Minister Chinamasa to take a leaf from his predecessor Tendai Biti, who allocated 27% of the 2013 budget towards the education sector.
