Masvingo, October 26, 2009 – Deputy Prime Minister and the leader of the smaller faction of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Arthur Mutambara on Sunday attacked the permanent secretary in the ministry of Media, Information and Publicity, George Charamba and Tsholotsho North legislator Jonathan Moyo for ‘continuously feeding the nation with lies’.
Addressing his supporters at Mucheke Hall in Masvingo, Mutambara said: “It is very embarrassing that Charamba- a civil servant together with Jonathan Moyo are continuously feeding the country with lies. If you buy The Herald or listen to ZBC, do not expect anything besides lies and propaganda,” he said. “We do not want Zanu PF to dominate in the state media, we also want to be heard, and we want Tsvangirai to be heard. All of us demands a fair share in the state media, not lies. These gentlemen have taken people for granted.”
“As a party, we are calling for more players in the media; we want Daily News and News Day as soon as possible. We do not want what is happening,” said Mutambara. “Zimbabweans do not deserve to continue to be punished with biased media. The people deserve plurality and diversity. What is happening is poisonous and uncalled for.”
Turning to the outstanding issues affecting the inclusive government, Mutambara said Prime Minister and the leader of the main faction of MDC, Morgan Tsvangirai was right to demand that the issues be solved as a matter of urgency.
However, he was quick to warn Tsvangirai that if he pulled out of government, President Robert Mugabe would take the opportunity to push everything to his own advantage. “I understand Tsvangirai’s demands – his demands are very genuine but we want to warn him to be very careful. Though Mugabe knows that he will be a rebel leader without us, he will take that opportunity to push everything to his favour. We will end up crying.
“We know that its Mugabe who is dragging feet in implementing the outstanding issues. A lot of things are yet to be resolved; the issue of provincial governors, Bennett’s issue, Gono and Tomana must go. We are not fools, we want to bring Mugabe and tell him the truth in his face..” said Mutambara.
Tsvangirai’s faction said they would not engage with Zanu PF on all matter pertaining to the inclusive government until oustanding issues are resolved. Among the outstanding issues are the swearing in of MDC’s treasurer general and deputy minister of Agriculture designate, Roy Bennett, who is facing terrorism charges, the appointments of Attorney General Johannes Tomana and Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono and governors. However Mugabe, denied, there were any outstanding issues, saying the only thing left was for MDC to resolve the issue of western sanctions, which were stalling economic and political progress.
Asked why his ministers were still going to cabinet meetings when they respected Tsvangirai’s demands, Mutambara said this was to block Mugabe and his ministers to come up with ‘disastrous’ decisions.
Mutambara said Zimbabweans had him to thank for holding together the inclusive government. “Had it not been me, this inclusive government could have collapsed long ago. I am their mediator. I am the only one who can make Mugabe and Tsvangirai to come together now. I am going to have a meeting with Tsvangirai on Monday morning before we meet Mugabe in the afternoon,” he said.
Mutambara was accompanied by his deputy Gibson Sibanda, Secretary general Professor Welshman Ncube and Minister of Regional Integration and International Co-operation Pricilla Misihairambwi –Mushonga.
Source: Radio VOP
Rubbish
Very intelligebt chap this one. However I think a little growing up would suit him fine. ‘ Were it not for me’ whats that? Standing in front of adults and telling them such nonsense. If he was so good why could he not get himself a sizable consituent?
Ed please kindly correct the spelling for our new GNU mediator. He is Mutambara not Mutumbara. Is Mbeki fired?
Many thanks. Done. Mbeki may be offered, but given the MDC stance, he will not be welcomed(editor)
Indeed Mutambara is talking sense. Soon and very soon such youngsters will take over from these geatrics!
nonsense! this so called professor is a “mad scientist”… so hes finally realised that jono and charamba have been lying to the nation all this time? wheres he been living, under a rock? please dude did you really think we hadnt figured that ourselves a long time ago? why is that these so called politicians feel its justified they insult out intelligence any time they feel like it. i’m surprised he still has supporters listening to him at all, kinda reminds me of abel barking on behalf of of the old dog, matabili.
Mboko, I think you were poor at comprehension at school. I bark against the MDC and at times on behalf of Mathibili (not matabili) but I am not confused like this professor of yours who says different things depending on which grade dagga he smoked on that particular day.
abel you are such a confused moron, we all know that mutambara is seeking votes because his party is disintegrating like zanu pf. President Zuma should take over as mediator and I know he will call your matibili boss to order. anywhere when is he retiring, and please the next time you have a meeting with him tell him that Zimbabwe does not belong to him and he should stop calling us Zimbabweans ” my people “. I for one do not want anything to do with that monster and so is the majority of Zimbabweans.
Editor, I have noticed with dismay the collective silence of the Zimbabwean online media pertaining the insult that the Deputy Prime Minister made on Zimbabweans by calling them ’slow thinkers’ in a radio interview recently. Beyond that historic gaffe I would have expected this website amongst others to take him to task, surely in other countries he would have been forced to retract the statement and apologize…but the silence from you and the other independent media is deafening!
Guseni, i will say this for the upteenth time. Mugabe owes his survival to the incompetent opposition which was supposed to be removing him. Did it sink in this time?
nxxa,ngumbhedo lona
nhai abero i’m struggling to figure what “comprehension” has got to do this discussion? are you still at primary level or what?
i’m not here to answer questions but discuss, occassionally debate and write out my opnions. unlike u i dont preach hate and lies like yr brothers jono and charamba. can i remind that you are always quick to point out peoples level of education, comment on physical appearences, blart out how mch you hate Mr Morgan and apparently how clever matabili is (i dont care how its spelt), only on rare occassions do you are actually refer yr opinions to the article. So tell me of the two of us who is better at “comprehansion” ?actually dont answer that, i knw you’ll just vomit some rethoric from yr godfather the deity of all fools.
Like you struggle with everything else young man!
What constitutes hate speech? When you talk of Charamba’s AIDS etc is that not hate speech? We fight fire with fire here.
Nasvo baba Abero nasvo-o…!!!! These dudes cannot take any of your punches…!!! They certainly talk a BIG GAME,..but they forget one important thing…..the M.D.C is just another political party, hutsotsi hwavo humwe chete ne musangano when ever it comes down to it. Take Tsvangirai for a politician not a Messiah, because I tell you, THIS IS 21ST CENTURY POLITICS, there is never Good, Middle-ground or Bad. They all adorn themselves in siuts in the morning and travel to work via Mercedes Benz!!
Stop fighting and concetrate on impotant issues