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Youths give ZYC ultimatum, threaten tough measures

LAST week The New Age Voices carried an article with reactions
of some youth organisations and other stakeholders on
the suspension of YETT’s licence by the Zimbabwe Youth
Council. The Editor of The New Age Voices Francis Rwodzi
had a no holds barred interview with the Chairman of ZYC,
Hamilton Pazvakavambwa and Director Livingstone Dzikira
to get an insight into the rationale behind the council’s decision
and its subsequent implications. This week we also give
you the latest developments within the civic society over the
ZYC-YETT story.
Pazvakavambwa told The New Age Voices that the
decision to suspend YETT is not aimed at attacking any youth
organisation but on enforcing the rules and regulations and
setting parameters based on the development of young people.
“There must be no illusions. Youth organisations must
simply conform to the rules and regulations that govern the
youth sector and as the Zimbabwe Youth Council we are
there to enforce those regulations. People should not just go
about doing as they please as if there are no regulations. If
you go to America and Britain and so on, the rules are clear,
you have to observe them,” Pazvakavambwa said.
When asked whether the suspension was procedural or
not, Pazvakavambwa was elusive but maintained the decision
taken by the council was for the good of young people.
“The bottom line is that we cannot have a situation
where people can receive and parcel out funds willy-nilly,
what if those funds are terrorist funds? We have no bone to
chew with YETT but we want them to do the proper thing. As
you are aware this is just a suspension and not a cancellation
like what some people are saying, they just have to explain
themselves,” he said.
“You quoted someone saying that the council is equivalent
to a burial society. It is quite strange because it is that
same institution they seconded board members to,” said
Pazvakavambwa.
He said Youth in this country are actually disempowered
because they waste their time writing concept papers to
countries struggling with their economies instead of writing
business proposals meant for development.
Dzikira said that contrary to rumours that they are clamping
down on youth organisations, the council is committed to
serve youth organisations and said that Youth Forum was
never an issue but just a case study.
“We are surprised at the reaction of Youth Forum because
we have no issues with them, they are just beneficiaries.
We are more concerned with the people who are funding
their operations. We didn’t know YETT until they registered
with us about a month ago but what we have seen is that they
are funding pro-MDC youth organisations. If they want to
fund youths they should just give money to all regardless of
political affiliation. We are saying YETT should depoliticise,”
Dzikira said.
“If Promise Mkwananzi sets up a youth fund for his
youth assembly, we have no problems as long as it has declared
its political nature,” he said.
In latest developments, this paper was able to peep
through the council’s fresh communiqué where Dzikira has
written to YETT asking them to furnish the council with details
of the YETT-SIDA youth fund outlining details of the
total amount of the grant, the organisations that they are
working with and the total amounts that they have received
and the addresses where they are found including the nature
of their activities. Dzikira says that this is in accordance with
section 13, 14 and 15 of the ZYC Act.
Meanwhile, youth organisations under the banner of
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition have given ZYC a 7 day ultimatum
to lift the suspension of YETT or face action.
The organisations said they are concerned about the
continued harassment and political meddling in the affairs
and work of youth organizations by the ZYC and the executive,
as represented by the Minister of Youth Development,
Indigenization and Empowerment.
The Crisis youth committee said the suspension of
YETT from ZYC was unprocedural because the Registration
and Compliance Committee of the ZYC board did not meet to
discuss the issue as per the provisions of the ACT.
They also said that YETT was not asked to appear before
a disciplinary committee as provided for by section 22
(2) of the act which states that “the council shall not suspend
or suspend the registration of any club until it has given the
club an opportunity to be heard.”
“The decision to suspend YETT from the Council was
taken by the Director in direct contravention of the ZYC Act
section 3B which provides for the establishment of the Council
further supported by Section 16.
“We further condemn the spate of tension that has been
witnessed in the operations of the Zimbabwe Youth Council
with other youth organizations.
“ZYC must immediately stop the harassment and victimization
of youth organizations and reinstate YETT as a
council member of ZYC within a period of 7working days,”
said the committee.
The youth coalition demanded that “ZYC must with
immediate effect stop harassing and traumatizing the Director
of YETT based on patriarchal tendencies and irresponsible
male dominance. That the ZYC space be all inclusive including
space for young women’s participation in all youths
spheres without discrimination”.
They also demanded that “The Zimbabwe Youth Council
Act must be amended to allow youths to determine their
leaders, free expression and association and reduce executive
powers of the Minister of Youth in ZYC affairs with special
reference to sections 3A(1); 3D(C ); 3E; 3F(1)(a); 3G; 6(1);
8; 9; 10(1); 24(3); 26”.
“Principals of the Global Political Agreement together
with Parliament of Zimbabwe must set up a credible, Independent
Commission of Inquiry to investigate the composition
and operations of ZYC.
“ZYC must, in a non partisan manner, fulfil its mandate
of providing an inclusive platform for all youths to deliberate
on youth issues,” the coalition demanded.
They also said as the principal chief advisor to government
on youth issues and concerns “ZYC must embark on
thorough and inclusive processes that holistically encompass
the input of youth from various backgrounds”.
The coalition threatened that failure to abide by the
demands, civic society will recall all pro-democratic youths
from the ZYC Board, youth organizations will disengage
from the council’s activities and affairs, civic society will
pursue legal avenues to challenge both the legality of the suspension
and constitutionality of the ZYC Act and actions and
that youth Organizations in Zimbabwe and the youths at large
will cease to recognize the existence and or establishment of
Zimbabwe Youth Council.

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