The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) President Nelson Chamisa has reached out to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and African Union (AU) to compel President Emmerson Mnangagwa to come to a negotiation table praying for a National Transitional Authority as part of the route to return to legitimacy following the disputed 30 July 2018 elections.
Chamisa flanked by his party officials and thousands of followers who thronged the capital yesterday submitted a petition dubbed THE PETITION ON THE ROADMAP TO LEGITIMACY AND DEMOCRACY IN ZIMBABWE (RELOAD) which carries with it a litany of demands.
In the petition, Chamisa cited President Mnangagwa, Zimbabwean Parliament, SADC and AU.
The opposition demands an alternative government to take charge of the nation affairs on the back of economic collapse which has subsequently sent social service delivery into gullies.
“We demand and propose the setting up of a National Transitional Authority to oversee the transition as the country undertakes the agreed reforms.
“An immediate return to legitimacy and resolution of the crisis of legitimacy in Zimbabwe.
“Immediate national dialogue amongst all key stakeholders to discuss, and resolve the following additional key issues; Political and institutional reforms that include, Economic stabilization and Social Agenda, Nation Building, National Healing and Reconciliation, International Re-engagement and re-integration,” reads part of the petition.
The opposition charged that the November military inspired political transition which saw Zimbabwe’s 37 years ruler Robert Mugabe resigning, failed to usher in a democratic system expected to have sent to bed the country’s historical election outcome contestation.
“That a crisis of legitimacy emanating from events of November 2017 was therefore not cured and now forms the core of the Zimbabwean crisis. That the economy has become the immediate casualty of the crisis of legitimacy and no tangible solution has been proffered in this respect.”
The opposition also demands that the November 2016 born surrogate currency; bond note, be demonetized having failed to maintain its value in the market impacting on the economic performance.
“The immediate resolution of the monetary and financial crisis through the following: – Demonetization of the Bond Note; Securing the existing RTGS balances in people’s banks; Strengthening the regime of multiple currencies in the short term; Joining the Rand Monetary Union; Abolishing the Quasi Fiscal Activities of the Reserve Bank, Resolving Zimbabwe’s national debt crisis, Growing the economy through attracting foreign direct investment and creating a stable predictable policy environment,” part of the petition reads.
