Biti bags Mujuru, courts Tsvangirai

THE People's Democratic Party (PDP) has said an alliance with National People's Party (NPP)leader Joice Mujuru was guaranteed, but the party was turning its attention to MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai as opposition parties coalesce ahead of the make-or-break 2018 general elections.

Opposition parties have been holding behind-the-scenes talks as they strategise to wrest power from Mugabe, who, at 94, will be seeking a second and final term since the adoption of the 2013 Constitution.

PDP spokesman Jacob Mafume yesterday confirmed the negotiations with Mujuru and Tsvangirai.

"We have made progress on the talks with Mujuru and there are informal talks with Tsvangirai's people, but no formal contact as far as I am aware," Mafume said.

The talks with Mujuru at one time seemed to have been abandoned after PDP negotiator Samuel Sipepa Nkomo defected to the then Mujuru-led Zimbabwe People First. ZimPF has since split with Mujuru, who launched NPP last month, taking with her most of the structures from her erstwhile comrades, Didymus Mutasa and Rugare Gumbo.

On the other hand, talks between PDP and MDC-T have always been frosty as a result of the acrimonious split in the aftermath of the heavy, but disputed, 2013 general election loss.

NPP spokesman Jealousy Mawarire was diplomatic about the talks when contacted for a comment.

"We don't discuss with our coalition partners through the media. We only make a statement after we conclude talks," he said.

MDC-T spokesman Obert Gutu was not picking calls yesterday.

"We are, however, open to talks with anyone, any day, anytime to find a joint platform to work together," Mafume added.