Tsvangirai trying to cheat Biti's PDP

Tendai Biti and his People's Democratic Party (PDP) have elected to delay their signing of the opposition coalition pact insisting they were not satisfied with their allocation of both parliamentary seats and council wards to contest unopposed next year.

MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora confirmed the negotiations had hit a snag.

"We have not reached an agreement with them (PDP) yet. They have made it clear that they are not signing," Mwonzora said without explaining.

A party statement circulated to PDP structures by party secretary general Godern Moyo Friday suggested the PDP was worth more than what is has been allocated by way of seats to contest for. Reports also indicated the PDP was demanding 53 seats countrywide anchored on the 21 seats previously held by members recalled by Tsvangirai in the mayhem that characterised the 2014 split.

"Contrary to the recent press reports, PDP shall not be signing the MDC alliance agreement on Saturday 5 August 2017," Moyo said.

"This is because negotiations on substantive issues have not yet been concluded. In particular, coalition framework seats distribution across the country and the 21 seats previously held by the party that are now under Zanu PF control.

"Until these issues are resolved to the satisfaction of the party no agreement shall be signed."

"The party also resolved that an 'acceptable agreement' shall be one that will give a majority of our MPs and councillors a fighting chance," Moyo said.

Moyo said the "sticking issues" have now been referred to PDP and MDC-T secretary generals to further haggle over in attempts to break the deadlock.

He added: "The party also resolved that an acceptable agreement shall be one that will give a majority of our MPs and councillors a fighting chance in accordance with our party constitution."

Moyo added: "President Biti shall attend the pre-signing of the agreement tomorrow Friday August 4 (yesterday) to formally notify the leaders of the alliance about our party position.

"The president, Tendai Biti, together with a party delegation shall be attending the Saturday function in 'solidarity' with the initiative."

This, according to Moyo, was in "solidarity with the initiative".

Asked to comment on the authenticity of the letter, Moyo said: "It is not for (the) Press (but) internal party communication. Whoever gave you is mischievous."

Biti broke away from Tsvangirai following the 2013 electoral defeat to Mugabe that was marred by allegations of vote-rigging and intimidation.

Former Vice-President Joice Mujuru's National People Party will also not be part of the today's deal following a fallout with Tsvangirai despite the two being the first to pen a memorandum of understanding in April this year.