The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Peter Matika, Mthabisi Tshuma
MDC Alliance leader Advocate Nelson Chamisa has assured party supporters that the army would not stop him from assuming office if he wins elections in July as it is a professional and patriotic national body.
Addressing a rally at Pelandaba Stadium in Gwanda on Friday, Adv Chamisa told supporters he believed the army prioritised the interests of the people.
The Government has also assured the nation that the army will not be involved in the election process. The assurance came after Finance and Economic Development deputy Minister Cde Terence Mukupe was quoted saying soldiers will not allow Adv Chamisa to rule the country if he wins the elections. The Deputy Minister has however, said he was misquoted, adding that the army was a professional body.
“Mukupe said if I win, the army won’t allow me to rule, he said they will stop me from ruling. This will not happen because soldiers are patriotic and professional. They don’t serve an individual but they follow the will of the people and therefore they will support the will of the people because it’s the people who would have elected me,” he said.
Adv Chamisa lashed out at the party’s interpreter at the event for demeaning President Mnangagwa. He said party members should respect other political parties and President Emmerson Mnangagwa despite the differences. This was after his interpreter kept referring to President Mnangagwa as “ChiMnangangwa.”
“Can you show some respect and address him properly. I respect Mnangagwa although we differ because our difference doesn’t mean he is an enemy. We have to cultivate a culture of respect for one another and as a leader it’s my duty to lead by example,” he said.
Mr Chamisa called on people who had not registered to vote to do so immediately. He invited Dr Thokozani Khupe to join forces with the MDC Alliance saying it was the vision of the late MDC-T president, Morgan Tsvangirai to have a united party.
Mr Chamisa who was in the company of Welshman Ncube said if he assumed duty in July, he would replace bond notes with US dollars and later re-introduce the Zimbabwean currency.
“Once I get into power there are five main issues that I will address. Firstly, I will tackle the issue of governance. This country’s Government hasn’t been properly leading this country and this has to come to an end. My Government will be one which will address the grievances of people and represent them. I will also address cash challenges. If I come into power in July by August I would have replaced the bond note with the US dollar. Foreign currency will be used for a short while and then I will introduce our own currency. I will also revive industries, improve access to education, improve the health sector, eradicate corruption among other things,” he said.
Meanwhile, Adv Chamisa while addressing a rally held in Maphisa, Matabeleland South province on Thursday, said he would, if elected into office, have Government run institutions headed by natives of respective regions in Zimbabwe.
“We want to change the organogram of the law system, where we do not want to have judges and other law keepers coming from different regions to work where they were not born. If you look at the bench of the Supreme Court it is led by people from one area,” he said.
Adv Chamisa added that civil servants must work from their places of origin.
“We want police, teachers, and other civil servants to work from their places of birth.”
Adv Chamisa also said he was capable of industrialising growth points, turning them into cities and towns.
