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Home Readers' Forum Sata's remarks regrettable

Sata's remarks regrettable

Friday, 03 February 2012 13:52
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Editor - I am shocked by the statements attributed to Zambian President, Michael Sata, on the person of Prime Minister, Morgan Tsvangirai.

  In an interview with a UK Telegraph newspaper published on January 24, 2011, Sata described  Tsvangirai as a "western stooge". He went on to dismiss the concerted efforts and calls by the people of Zimbabwe to institute fundamental reforms. He also, without looking at the background of the unity government, insinuated that he would support President Robert Mugabe's wish to do way with the coalition.
Such remarks from a Head of State are regrettable and show clear disrespect of the regional diplomacy that started  talks which gave birth to the current situation which we hoped would help to bring finality to the power contestations that have overwhelmed the country for the past decade.
As Zimbabwean youths, we hoped such an effort, which is still ongoing, would have given credence to the regional body as it would have managed to find a regional solution to a regional security threat.We are taking this opportunity to bring to the attention of Sata that only yesterday he was a leader of the opposition in Zambia. Noone in the region ever made  uncouth remarks against his person or office. Good neighbourliness is of fundamental importance to regional peace and integration. 
As a member of the regional grouping, Zambia, represented by Sata, should respect the wishes of the people of Zimbabwe who showed their support for Tsvangirai in the 2008 presidential election. The people of Zimbabwe spoke clearly that they wanted Tsvangirai as their president, and that statement needs to be respected by any regional leader worth his salt.
We equally expect restraint from our northern neighbours when dealing with issues in our motherland to avoid reckless statements that encourage animosity, polarisation and further violations of the Global Political Agreement (GPA).
We expect the Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders to join hands with the facilitator, President Jacob Zuma to work on the full implementation of the GPA.  It is hoped that the reforms encapsulated in the GPA are taken seriously in order for Zimbabwe to have a free and fair election whose outcome will not be contested.
Zimbabweans are geared for a watershed election.
They are fed up of intimidation, harassment, corruption, torture, bloodshed and election rigging.
They want to see Zimbabwe growing economically, people living in peace, with the full respect of the rule of law and observance of the people's democratic rights and fundamental freedoms.
The MDC has due respect for the people of Zambia and their choice President Sata. We will remain committed, as a party and as, a nation to push for democratic reforms for development not only in Zimbabwe but also the whole of SADC.

Clifford Hlatywayo

Comments (6)Add Comment
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written by Gutter Poet, February 22, 2012
Well I suppose Mr. Sata is settling in to State house..this is enough to make one excitable..

Lets talk to him again at the end of the year! Lets see if he still thinks the same..
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written by manzunzu, February 10, 2012
sata you are right to make known to them your position. dont listen to them that only need to hear what they want to hear. being democratic is not to blame he who says his view
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written by Vekumakomo, February 07, 2012
Who says what may not be of importance at this point. From 2009, Zimbabwe embarked on a different model, which everyone is waiting expectly to bring well-being to every individual, bring back the bread basket of Africa to it's feet as an agro-based economy and remove stress from our industries so that we begin to operate at full capacity, cut-down unemployment rate among others. This is going to be achieved by Zimbabweans not "starters" sorry satas.I urge our leaders to stop the all talk business and being bothered by who says what and work towards a common goal. Notwithstanding modelling the right m*ral values. Character matters before popularity. What we do in our private lives reflects what you spend 80% of your time doing.
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written by Jimmy, February 07, 2012
His Execellency Sata should know that not all bright ideas are brain children of the West. You were an opposition to MMD did that make you an American stooge? I would suggest that you take a ciggerate if you do not have meaningful contributions that are truely African.
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written by ZimboLove, February 04, 2012
Clifford, if you read the interview, it is the writer and not Sata who used the words "Western Stooge". Secondly, I dont think we should be on Sata's case because he dislikes Tsvangirai. We had no problems with Khama and Mwanawasa criticizing Mugabe but now we turn around because Sata dislikes Mugabe? That is totally Sata's choice. In the same way the ANC through its secretary general pledged to ensure ZANU PF wins next elections, its all their choice. True in 2008 the ma*ses spoke, unfortunately Tsvangirai agreed o use a formula which at the time of negotiations was the fairest way - but made him a minority. If you add the number of seats in Senate and Lower House, Zanu has m*re seats. If our election was based on the South African model where you vote for the party and the party elects the leader. Anyways, its besides the point though. But I disagree that what Sata said is regrettable. Thats his view, and one can choose to disagree with that view. Disagreeing and regrettable are 2 totally different concepts.
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written by Trym*re Chinyawu, February 03, 2012
Sata is a loud mouth because he is currently benefitting from an economy put right by white zimbabwean farmers and western governments whom he accuses of directing m*rgan. Beware loud mouth or you might find your self in the malawi equation. Not that this worries you, as a true african leader your pig headedness will lead you to destroy your country's economy and not worry two hoots about it. you will pa*s on and the suffering in your country continues due to careless attitude and mouth. Why don't you take a cue from president obama, who speaks little and is non confrontational. you might learn a thing or two. wonder what you will do with your vice who you might now label a western stooge because of his colour. Kindergarten politics being played out by empty vessels who have no logical basis for attacking someone save to label him a stooge. I am sorry as a young african of a newer generation I disagree with you and think we and all of africa would be better off with the m*rgans of this world than your kind.

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