By MDC-T Information Department
The MDC’s Manifesto, which was launched by President Morgan Tsvangirai at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera on 7 July 2013 under the theme; “A New Zimbabwe-The Time is now,” lays a firm foundation for Zimbabwe’s recovery and growth.
The MDC identifies the establishment of a functional security sector that cherishes and defends the country’s freedom as being key to stability and sustainable growth.
As the security forces turn out to vote under the Special Voting process in line with their rights and responsibilities, we urge them to vote for a government that has plan to make sure they effectively deliver their mandate.
An MDC government has a comprehensive plan to build a modern, well-equipped and well-funded security sector that takes pride in working to advance the interests of Zimbabwean citizens.
The past 33 years of Zanu PF rule have seen the security sector being neglected and as a result the dignity of the men and women who work tirelessly to make sure that we go to sleep safe and secure has been destroyed. It is a shame that 33 years after independence our police officers have to walk long distances to apprehend criminals.
It is unacceptable that despite Zanu PF’s liberation war rhetoric our soldiers have to struggle with ageing equipment and meager food rations. It is degrading and humiliating for our police officers and prison officials to beg for rides on public transport.
Under an MDC government the accommodation of our esteemed security services in wooden shacks will be a thing of the past. As soon as we become the next government we will put in place concrete measures to restore the dignity of our security services.
An MDC government will ensure that the salaries and working conditions of our security services are bench-marked against the best in the region and in the world. We will allocate adequate resources to ensure that our military has modern equipment and adequate food rations.
We will ensure that our police officers and prison officers have adequate vehicles and other necessary materials to enable them to carry out their duties in a dignified manner. We will also provide decent housing for our security services in line with our constitutional pledge to have shelter as a basic right of Zimbabwean citizens.
The MDC is committed to constitutionalism, peace, justice and the rule of law. We are aware that the police services play an important role in the delivery of justice and we will therefore ensure that all police stations in the country are equipped with functional computers with Internet connection.
Police records including dockets will be filed electronically to avoid loss while modern technology like DNA testing will be introduced to support the speedy resolution of crime investigations.
The MDC has a credible plan to get Zimbabwe working again. With a modern, functional and dignified security sector, Zimbabwe will proudly take its place as a prosperous nation whose citizens have dignity and comfort.
As police officers, soldiers and prisons officers, you owe it to your children and generations to come to play your part in making Zimbabwe work again. On July 14 and 15, vote for the MDC to bring change.
For the first time, security establishment will vote outside army barracks in a process to be monitored by all political parties.
Used ballot papers will be monitored by designated polling agents from the 14 July 2013 untill they are officially opened for distribution to the respective polling stations and wards. The tallying of votes cast will be done by ZEC through the participation of all parties to ensure that there is no staffing ballot papers during and after Special Voting
