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Mr Mwonzora

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
PLANS by MDC-T to convene a so-called stakeholders’ conference before the end of the year are an indication of desperation by the beleaguered party and an attempt to create a false sense of crisis in the country, political analysts said yesterday.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora was quoted as saying the stakeholders meeting was meant to save the economy.
“The so-called meeting is not relevant and will not achieve anything because the MDC-T are not in government, it should be clear to them that they are not in government,” said University of Zimbabwe Political Science department chairperson Dr Charity Manyeruke.

“If they are serious about making contributions to the development of the country they should use the forums they are represented in and not make noise about these sideshows that will not benefit anyone.

“How can they say Zanu-PF are clueless when they won the elections overwhelmingly? They won because they had a clearly spelt out manifesto that addressed the needs and aspirations of the people. It is them actually that can be said to be clueless.”

Dr Manyeruke said the Zanu-PF Government had so far been engaging various stakeholders and ordinary Zimbabweans to solve the sanctions-induced challenges facing the economy, showing the party was committed to overcoming the difficulties.

Another political analyst Mr Goodwine Mureriwa said the meeting would be a non-event as it was being organised on the waning fortunes of the MDC-T.

“The MDC-T knows that the people rejected them in the elections, so this could just be a ploy to remain relevant and attract one or two donors, he said.

The Zanu-PF government has been in office for just over three months and in that time they have done a lot in coming up with an economic blueprint and preparations for the farming season have been going on well with seed and funding having been secured.

“So, it is actually surprising that they can say the Zanu-PF government is clueless. It is actually them that do not have anything to offer the ordinary citizenry in the country.”

Journalism and Media Studies lecturer at the Harare Polytechnic Mr Alexander Rusero said the MDC-T actions were indicative of a frustrated lot.

“The statements are coming from a group of frustrated people who want to be seen to be doing something,” he said.
“We can’t expect them to perform miracles in such a short time.

“In fact, they should be given credit for the manner they have handled the economy given the speculation that was there just after the elections that the economy would collapse within a week and that the country would slide back to pre-2009 levels.”

MDC-T failed to deliver most of its promises during its stint in the inclusive Government.