SADC Executive Secretary Hails Zimbabwe Elections

Tomaz Salamao, executive secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The regional organization has praised the recently-held national elections in Zimbabwe., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Salamao hails Zimbabwe

Saturday, 16 March 2013 00:00
Herald Reporter

ZIMBABWE has been applauded for laying the necessary pillar for democracy in today’s referendum for a new constitution expected to provide a template for other Sadc countries.

Speaking after paying a courtesy call on President Mugabe at State House yesterday, Tanzanian Foreign Affairs and International Relations Minister Mr Benard Membe urged Zimbabweans to vote in their thousands and chart a clear course for the country.

Mr Membe was accompanied by the Sadc executive secretary Mr Tomaz Salamao.

“We had a very good and long chat with the President (Mugabe) on the preparation for the vote in the referendum tomorrow (today).

“All eyes will be on Zimbabwe as it brings the constitution home from Lancaster. It is an important day in the history of the country,” he said.

Zimbabweans go to the polls today in a referendum to vote for the draft constitution, which will become the country’s supreme law if endorsed by the majority.

He said President Mugabe had expressed satisfaction with the preparations and the team was also comfortable that preparations on the ground were in place.

“Zimbabwe remains a leader in the region and is laying the necessary pillars for democracy which other Sadc countries will be emulating,” he said.

Mr Membe said the courtesy call, which was also extended to all principals in the Global Political Agreement was aimed at getting feedback on the preparations for the vote.

Mr Salamao also expressed the same sentiments saying Zimbabwe was making history and it was refreshing that politicians had put the supreme interests of the country first under the banner of the “Yes Vote”.
The major political parties in the GPA are campaigning for a “Yes Vote” with the only opposition coming from the National Constitutional Assembly which has had futile attempts to stop the referendum.

Foreign Affairs Minister Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi said the discussion with the President centred on the preparation for the referendum and that the pair was briefed on the background leading to the completion of the draft constitution.