'We don't need Tsvangirai to legitimise Welshman Ncube'

The Movement for Democratic Change formation led by Welshman Ncube says it is not deceived by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's public displays of magnanimity towards the party's leadership.

This follows media reports that quoted Tsvangirai as saying that he no longer recognised his deputy in the unity government, Professor Arthur Mutambara, as a Principal since the recent SADC summit on Zimbabwe in Maputo.

Tsvangirai is said to have told the Daily News that "it is clear from the SADC meeting that Mutambara is no longer considered a principal and the legitimate one is Ncube.

"From now on, it is important for everyone to appreciate that whenever we discuss matters of the GPA, President Mugabe, Ncube and I, are in charge," the PM is quoted in the paper.

But MDC spokesman Nhlanhla Dube said the Premier's recognition of Ncube is too little too late. He said: "We are curious to know what has led to this Damascus moment for the Prime Minister, and like many others we are asking 'why now'?

"Tsvangirai has in the past said he will not fight Ncube's wars and will wait for the courts to decide who leads the MDC. He has made far-reaching decisions such as the appointment of electoral and human rights commissioners together with the same Mutambara that he is now rejecting."

Dube told SW Radio Africa Tuesday that the PM's recognition at this late hour is of no consequence, as there is no longer any use for "supposed government Principals pretending to be political party Principals".

"Could it be that the PM has finally realised that all along he has been wedged between two Zanu-PF activists and protecting both their interests in the name of government Principals?

Dube said his party is aware that PM Tsvangirai continued to stand by Mutambara even as the MDC congress had rejected him, and after the High Court had ruled that Ncube was the rightful MDC leader, and against SADC's recommendation.

"In our view, the Prime Minister's pronouncements are just a smokescreen, and we are not going to be swayed by this public relations act aimed at mass public deception," Dube said.

Asked whether Ncube will be attending future meetings of the Principals in place of Mutambara, Dube said his leader will "always represent the party in any space where the party needs to be represented".

Since the SADC summit, when the two MDCs presented a united lobby front to oppose President Mugabe's unilateral declaration of a July 31st election date, there have been suggestions that a coalition may be in the offing.

But Paul Themba Nyathi, the designated MDC spokesman on the issue, dismissed this and said Tsvangirai was playing Zimbabweans, adding that if the PM was interested in a genuine pact, he would desist from presenting himself as the de facto leader of the coalition.

With the life of parliament expiring on June 29th, the executive will remain in charge of running the country, and it remains to be seen whether Mugabe will agree with Tsvangirai and allow Ncube to be part of the Principals' meeting.

Mugabe is on record as saying he will only recognise Ncube as a Principal when political processes are under discussion, but will deal with Tsvangirai and Mutambara on government issues.

For his part Mutambara has stunned many by agreeing with Zanu-PF on many occasions, and even going against the position of the party he is meant to be representing in the unity government.

Recently, when other parties were up in arms against the July 31st election date, Mutambara voiced his support together with Zanu-PF, and said the court's decision should be binding and final.