GOVERNMENT will soon revise its position regarding the funding of political parties from the fiscus following the admission by MDC-T that three Western governments were bankrolling its preparations for the 2018 harmonised elections. This might see the Government completely stopping some political parties from accessing funding from the fiscus or tightening the requirements.
In terms of Section 6 of the Political Parties Finance Act, political parties are not allowed to accept foreign funding.
However, in direct contravention of this law, MDC-T secretary-general Mr Douglas Mwonzora announced that a delegation of senior MDC-T officials would on Friday visit three Western countries to receive funding and to brief the host governments on political developments here.
The visit will cover England, Australia and Norway. Presidential spokesperson Mr George Charamba said the move by MDC-T naturally called for a funding review of political parties by the Government, among other issues.
“There are three things we are worried about with the move taken by MDC-T,” he said.
“Firstly, we are worried by the issue of external funding because the whole essence of funding political parties from the fiscus is to develop politics loyal to the nation.
“When we have foreigners funding local political parties, we have the reason to revise legal parameters that govern the funding.”
Mr Charamba said the stance taken by MDC-T might also scuttle re-engagement efforts underway between Zimbabwe and the European Union. Said Mr Charamba:
“We also have political-cum-diplomatic processes underway. When you have overtly hostile stance hinted by MDC-T, we have to reassess our own re-engagement efforts with the EU. Surely the EU cannot run with hares at the same time hunting with the hounds.
“Thirdly, are we surprised by the move by MDC-T? Not at all. The essence of MDC-T politics has always been external. MDC-T has proved to be a true proverbial chip off a corrupt block.”
Legal experts also condemned the MDC-T saying it was openly flouting the law. Prominent Harare lawyer Mr Terrance Hussein said: “That is in violation of the Political Parties Finance Act and there are some penalties that come along with that.
“In terms of Section 6 of the Act no political party or a member of the political party shall accept any foreign donation directly or indirectly.
“Any person or party which contravenes Section 6 shall be guilty of a fine equivalent to level 12 or equivalent to the market value of the donation. So if it happens that you receive a foreign donation of $20 million the fine you will pay is also $20 million.”
Another lawyer Mr Jonathan Samkange, said the law should take its course on such issues.
“When a political party violates the law it is the responsibility of the police to do their work,” he said.
“Even if you do not see the money they can be charged for attempting.”
Mr Mwonzora said the four day visit was made possible by the host countries that invited them although the party’s spokesperson tried to do a damage control by claiming that they were invited by their external province of England and Ireland.
“The four-day visit has been made possible by the host countries, which have invited us,” Mr Mwonzora said.
“We are also going to take that chance to meet with our party structures in these countries and intensify our 2018 political campaigns, which have already started in earnest.”
Asked about the “No Reforms No Elections” Mr Mwonzora said they had changed their political strategy.
“The game will never be the same in 2018 as we have changed our approach to the election,” he was quoted as saying.
“I cannot tell you our new strategy at this moment because it is still premature to reveal it, but I want to assure you that the game has changed for the better.”