BULAWAYO —
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told civil society leaders in Bulawayo today that the Constitutional Court erred last week in giving a judgement compelling Harare to hold elections by July 31 in the absence of critical democratic reforms.
Mr. Tsvangirai, who is on a two-day visit to the city, said his Movement for Democratic Change party is not concerned about the date the court wants the elections to be held but the lack of political will on the part of his governing partner, President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party to implement necessary reforms ahead of the poll.
Mr. Tsvangirai said Southern African Development Community leaders should push Harare for reforms ahead of the elections, adding the region had a right to question political and court decisions in Zimbabwe as guarantors of the Global Political Agreement that gave birth to the unity government.
Commenting on yesterday’s statement where his party united with other political formations in the country in saying they won’t participate in this elections in the absence of reforms, Mr. Tsvangirai said he hoped this was the beginning of an alliance that will bring change to Zimbabwe.
Chairperson of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, Effie Ncube, said it is critical for civil society to constantly engage government, especially at when there’s a lot of debate and uncertainty on the electoral process.
Mr. Tsvangirayi also met with representatives from various labour unions and the local business community. He was expected to visit the United Bulawayo Hospitals this evening.
Mr. Tsvangirai, who is on a two-day visit to the city, said his Movement for Democratic Change party is not concerned about the date the court wants the elections to be held but the lack of political will on the part of his governing partner, President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party to implement necessary reforms ahead of the poll.
Mr. Tsvangirai said Southern African Development Community leaders should push Harare for reforms ahead of the elections, adding the region had a right to question political and court decisions in Zimbabwe as guarantors of the Global Political Agreement that gave birth to the unity government.
Commenting on yesterday’s statement where his party united with other political formations in the country in saying they won’t participate in this elections in the absence of reforms, Mr. Tsvangirai said he hoped this was the beginning of an alliance that will bring change to Zimbabwe.
Chairperson of the National Association of Non-Governmental Organisations, Effie Ncube, said it is critical for civil society to constantly engage government, especially at when there’s a lot of debate and uncertainty on the electoral process.
Mr. Tsvangirayi also met with representatives from various labour unions and the local business community. He was expected to visit the United Bulawayo Hospitals this evening.