Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai Abandons Schemes Against Mugabe's Land Reform

18 May 2009

Harare — The inclusive Government will not reverse the Land Reform Programme, but wishes to ensure that farmers produce enough food for the country, Prime Minster Morgan Tsvangirai has said.

PM Tsvangirai made the remarks at an all- stakeholders' meeting in Bindura on Thursday.

He said some farmers had expressed fears that the inclusive Government would reverse the Land Reform Programme, but that was not the case.

"No one will reverse the land reform. Isu tiri kuti rimai tidye tese," he said.

PM Tsvangirai bemoaned the fact that farmers were reluctant to plant wheat this winter season.

Some farmers have indicated they might not plant wheat if they did not receive State assistance while Government has said farmers would now need to stand on their own.

The Prime Minister said Mashonaland Central had the capacity to plant 18 000 hectares of winter wheat but managed only 150 hectares, just enough for a single A2 farmer.

PM Tsvangirai said following this trend, Government was shifting attention to the summer crop and on ways it could assist.

He urged Zimbabweans to bury their differences and focus on national healing.

PM Tsvangirai said the signing of the Global Political Agreement meant that the leaders of the three parties that are signatories to the agreement -- Zanu-PF, MDC and MDC-T -- had concurred to concentrate on the people's welfare after a protracted period of fighting.

"From December to January, people's welfare was critical and it is in that spirit that the GPA was signed. You also do likewise," he said.

He urged Zimbabweans to remain focused on national healing, saying invoking past memories was anti-development.

"We should help Zimbabwe out of its problems whether you are Zanu-PF or MDC.

"One (African) president after being elected into office had to first destroy what his predecessor built to start afresh. That way you are not going forward as a country."

PM Tsvangirai said the three party principals would always consult each other.

"Executive authority is vested in the President, the Prime Minister and Cabinet until a (new) government is elected by the people," he said.

Zimbabweans, the Prime Minister added, should not question the principals' sincerity, saying they had displayed unquestionable commitment towards the inclusive Government's success.

"We will also engage President Mugabe. We have a national obligation to move forward with this inclusive Government," he said

The principals, PM Tsvangirai said, had agreed on a number of reforms to consolidate the country's democracy.

These include crafting a new constitution and restructuring media, among others.

The major challenge facing Government was funding.

"We need funds for balance of payment support for the Government machinery to work. Our industries and mines need lines of credit so that we can create employment."

The PM urged people to be patient with the inclusive Government, saying they should give it time to perform.

Government, he said, would prioritise education, health and infrastructure rehabilitation and would seek to improve food security and engage the international community in its 100-Day Plan.

EsinIslam.Com