Zim opposition proposes economic rescue package

HARARE – Zimbabwe’s main opposition party has unveiled an economic revival plan it says would haul the country out of a crisis it blames on mismanagement by the government of President Robert Mugabe.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) unveiled the programme on Thursday as planned after the High Court overturned a police ban on the proceedings. Police had charged that the party failed to give a four-day notice required under tough new security laws that critics say are aimed at Mugabe’s opponents.Dubbed “RESTART” (reconstruction, stabilisation, recovery and transformation), the five-year plan envisages pulling Zimbabwe out of a crisis marked by record inflation and unemployment, and a collapsing public health system.The MDC and other critics say the skewed policies of Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party – including its controversial land reforms – have brought to ruin what was once one of Africa’s most thriving economies during 23 years of power.”The situation on the ground demands that RESTART initially focuses on core national priority issues such as governance, the humanitarian crisis, HIV-AIDS, jobs and resolving the land question,” MDC economic affairs secretary Tendai Biti said in a statement.Biti said an MDC government would allow the Zimbabwean dollar to trade at market-related levels to boost export earnings, set up an autonomous anti-corruption body and carry out an audit of the controversial land reform programme.Formed in 1999, the MDC has emerged as the strongest challenge to Mugabe’s 23-year grip on power a year after winning nearly half of the 120 contested seats in parliament.Zanu-PF enjoys a comfortable majority through 30 seats reserved for chiefs, provincial governments and presidential appointees.MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, on trial over treason charges of plotting to assassinate Mugabe, is legally challenging the veteran leader’s re-election in a 2002 poll both the opposition and several international observer teams said was rigged.Mugabe, who turns 80 this month, insists he won fairly and says the MDC is a puppet of Western countries he accuses of sabotaging Zimbabwe’s economy to pay him back for his seizure of white-owned commercial farms for redistribution to landless blacks.- Nampa-ReutersPolice had charged that the party failed to give a four-day notice required under tough new security laws that critics say are aimed at Mugabe’s opponents. Dubbed “RESTART” (reconstruction, stabilisation, recovery and transformation), the five-year plan envisages pulling Zimbabwe out of a crisis marked by record inflation and unemployment, and a collapsing public health system. The MDC and other critics say the skewed policies of Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party – including its controversial land reforms – have brought to ruin what was once one of Africa’s most thriving economies during 23 years of power. “The situation on the ground demands that RESTART initially focuses on core national priority issues such as governance, the humanitarian crisis, HIV-AIDS, jobs and resolving the land question,” MDC economic affairs secretary Tendai Biti said in a statement. Biti said an MDC government would allow the Zimbabwean dollar to trade at market-related levels to boost export earnings, set up an autonomous anti-corruption body and carry out an audit of the controversial land reform programme. Formed in 1999, the MDC has emerged as the strongest challenge to Mugabe’s 23-year grip on power a year after winning nearly half of the 120 contested seats in parliament. Zanu-PF enjoys a comfortable majority through 30 seats reserved for chiefs, provincial governments and presidential appointees. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, on trial over treason charges of plotting to assassinate Mugabe, is legally challenging the veteran leader’s re-election in a 2002 poll both the opposition and several international observer teams said was rigged. Mugabe, who turns 80 this month, insists he won fairly and says the MDC is a puppet of Western countries he accuses of sabotaging Zimbabwe’s economy to pay him back for his seizure of white-owned commercial farms for redistribution to landless blacks. – Nampa-Reuters