Mugabe warns SADC

Phillimon Mhlanga, Staff Reporter

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe yesterday warned the Southern African Development Community (SADC) not to interfere in the country’s political processes saying Zimbabweans are the makers of their own destiny.
Speaking after signing the Constitutional Amendment (No. 20) Bill into law at State House, President Mugabe said SADC member states were free to come and observe the harmonised elections due this year but said they should not interfere with the country’s internal politics.
This comes after South African Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and that country’s Deputy International Relations Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim tied election funding for Zimbabwe to media and security sector reforms, part of the election roadmap SADC has insisted should be completed before elections are held.
“We recognise that we belong to each other. If someone from outside attacks your village, it is my responsibility as a Zimbabwean to come and defend you. We say no more colonialism, direct or indirect. No more interference. SADC yes we can invite them to observe our political processes but not to interfere and supervise our systems. Yes we welcome interaction with others; yes we welcome alliances with other countries but no to supervision of our systems. We can do it as Zimbabweans,” said President Mu-gabe.
He also hailed Zimbabweans for demonstrating oneness despite affiliating to different political parties.
“For me this is a happening of joy, great joy indeed. This is an event done by Zimbabweans for Zimbabweans. I am glad that this is a document we call our own Constitution which can now enable us to say we are truly the makers of the nation.
“We have demonstrated that we are one as Zimbabweans. ZANU-PF, yes that’s the jacket I am wearing. MDC yes that’s the jacket and tie you are wearing but these jackets we take them off and are able to defend ourselves as Zimbabweans,” said Pre-sident Mugabe.
He said the recurrence of infighting in political parties was a concern to him and urged the country to ensure that peace prevails ahead of the elections.
“There are trying situations all the times to test our sincerity of the belief of recognition of each other. Contests come at various levels in sport. We have Dynamos contesting with CAPS United or Highlanders but sport must always train our participants that sport is sport and not war,” emphasised President Mugabe.
He decried the infighting in the political parties, and urged the different contestants to work together for the betterment of the nation.  
In apparent reference to Prime Minister (PM) Morgan Tsvangirai, he said: “I used to think that he is a witch while he also said this old man has juju. We have since resolved that. Peace, peace, peace begins with you, peace begins with me,” added President Mugabe speaking in Shona.
PM Tsvangirai also hailed the signing of the constitution into law yesterday.
“I am humbled by this occasion. I want to congratulate you President for this historic and most significant event. I am sure when you signed the Lancaster Constitution; you did so with a heavy heart because you did not get what you wanted. But when you signed this document today, you will go down a very satisfied man.
“Congratulations President. We are proud that we are setting a new journey for the future that will define the values that we have set for ourselves,” said PM Tsvangirai.
Speaking at the same event Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara weighed in saying: “I think we can all say today is a great day in our country. For the first time we have a constitution we have authored without foreigners. This document will define the trajectory of our country. As we move towards these elections why not maintain the same spirit of co-operation”.  
At a separate Press conference, PM Tsvangirai said after the signing of the constitution into law, elections could only be held in October after all the legal processes listed in both the new and old constitution have been fulfilled.
Parliament expires on June 29 but President Mugabe is yet to proclaim the dates for the general elections.