Zimbabwean Movement for Democratic Change: briefing

Meeting report

FOREIGN AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
26 November 2003
ZIMBABWEAN MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE: BRIEFING

Chairperson: Mr Z Jordan (ANC)
Acting Chairperson: Mr D Sithole (ANC)

Documents handed out:
None

SUMMARY
The Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs met with Mr Paul Themba Nyathi, a Zimbabwean Member of Parliament for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), to discuss the current situation in his country and how the MDC is attempting to change socio-political structures.

MINUTES
The Acting Chair reported that apologies from the Chairperson, Dr Z Jordan, had been received.

Mr Nyathi addressed the Committee on the current situation in Zimbabwe. He introduced the Movement for Democratic Change Party that had run against the ruling ZANU PF in the June 2002 elections. They had supported NEPAD and the concept of African unity. Zimbabwe faced numerous problems that needed urgent address, such as hyper-inflation and chronic unemployment, the food crisis and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The youth in Zimbabwe had been trained to intimidate the opposition party. The two major parties needed to get together and settle their differences for a better Zimbabwe. President Thabo Mbeki had attempted to start a dialogue process between the two parties, but this had not been easy.
The ZANU PF was a revolutionary Party that had been enforcing land redistribution, which th eMDC had not supported. The media had concentrated on these land disputes and the 4 000 white farmers that had been driven away from their land, but had paid insufficient attention to the restoration of the economic programme to help the impoverished people of Zimbabwe. Much damage had already been done in the corruption and fraud plagueing the land redistribution, and sustained assistance was now required so that part of the land was given to the people in need. The distribution of land would bring peace, prosperity and stability. He stressed that the key issue however, was not about land or about a black or white revolution, but rather about the lack of proper governance. The ruling party had refused to contemplate the possibility of losing power or accepting the necessity for democratisation. Instead, the socio-economic standing of Zimbabwe had continued to deteriorate. About 20% of the wealthiest people in Zimbabwe held 50% of the total wealth. Mr Mugabe's policies were tyrannical and the opposition party had begun the secession debate of who would take power after Mugabe. Mr Nyathi expressed optimism about the capacity to find a solution. There was a free, widely accessible education system that would provide people with greater awareness and faith in restoring the society through democratic ways. He called for the neighboring countries to help the Zimbabwean immigrants who escaped suffering under the Mugabe's rule. Unnecessary tension and hardship had burdened neighboring states like South Africa that had absorbed some 2 million illegal immigrants. In order to stop this crisis, Zimbabwe needed external support in the struggle to normalise its political system. They could benefit from neighbours lobbying for socio-political changes and expressing their solidarity by standing up against violence, torture and human misery.

Discussion
Mr O Bapela asked if there had been any talks or agreements conducted between the ruling party and the opposition, as the two seemed too contradict each other in principle.

Mr T Nyathi said that there had been some formal talks between ZANU PF and the MDC. However, they were still trying to get the Parties to meet for more substantive dialogue. He thought the best means to achieve that goal was taking the constitutional route.

Mr Madasa (ACDP) enquired about the problems facing the court system in terms of justice and governance.

Mr Nyathi said that Zimbabwe did not have a tradition of independence but it did have independent judges. Regrettably, the current government had been attempting to contaminate the judicial system.

Mr Seremane (DA) said that it was heartbreaking to see the Zimbabwean matter being trivialised by South Africa. He called for closer scrutiny into the problem of violation of human rights in Zimbabwe.

Mr Geldenhuys (NNP) recalled the recent revolt in Georgia where the President had been overthrown, and asked if Mr Nyathi regarded the mass action as an option to achieve political and social change in Zimbabwe. He also asked whether the MDC, as a social democratic party, was getting any assistance from the Social International.

Mr Nyathi said that external pressure could help Zimbabwe in resolving the current crisis, as this had helped South Africa in the past. It was not an option to remove Mugabe by mass action.

Mr Mngomezulu (ANC) asked about the relationship between the Zimbabwean youth and the police.

Mr Nyathi said that youth in Zimbabwe has been brainwashed into believing that crime was acceptable. He blamed the ZANU PF for all internal problems, like the lack of sustainable political youth structures. Ultimately, the people of Zimbabwe would have to sit together and negotiate the necessary changes.

Miss Magazi (ANC) asked if the MDC had women as members and if so, why did Mr Nyathi's delegation had no women present at this meeting. She also asked whether taking ZANU PF to court could jeopardise the plans of the MDC.

Mr Nyathi said there were eight women members of the MDC in Parliament. In Zimbabwe, political involvement led to high personal sacrifices, which was why so many women were scared to participate in politics. The MDC was planing to set up a Committee to deal with this matter.

Ms Mohamed (ANC) asked about the role of the youth programme and the NGO sector.

Mr Nyathi said that the youth programme aimed to make remarkable changes in the lives of young people by making education free and widely accessible. That in turn would encourage the youth to become more productive and, by advancing their skills, be able to take advantage of a wider spectrum of career opportunities. The operation of NGOs in Zimbabwe was under serious threat as they were considered "opposition sympathisers". Their survival was crucial in helping people express themselves.

Mr Zita (ANC) asked if there were any concrete grounds for negotiations in the light of current political and social turmoil.

Mr Eglin (DA) asked how the MDC was hoping to achieve proper dialogue with the ruling party and what obstacles stood in its way.

Mr Nyathi said that the ultimate goal could not be achieved overnight. It would be reached by following the steps. The two parties first needed to be open to negotiations. There had to be a certain level of accepted legitimacy by both sides. The new constitutional dispensation would ultimately lead to free and democratic elections. The MDC was ready to begin negotiations. The ZANU PF knew the negotiation process would eventually lead to the loss of power that would forever change the situation in the country. He called for the enhancement of external pressure to achieve that goal.

Mr Makanda (UDM) asked about their programme regarding the land issue and how would Mr Nyathi proposed to resolve the problem of corruption in Zimbabwe.

Mr Nyathi said that the MDC had agreed in principle with land distribution as it was needed to improve the lives of the Zimbabwean people, but their methodology differed fundamentally. The land issue had to not play the role as a stimulus of oppression and power. The economy of Zimbabwe was dependent on land as the engine of development. A special Land Commission should therefore be established to categorise land according to suitability. The people should be taught to use the land properly and redesign the economy to meet current needs. The "agrarian revolution" could remove the post-colonial imbalance and restore confidence in the country.

Mr Nyathi thanked the Committee for meeting with their Party and the meeting was adjourned.