'Join Chamisa or we quit'

The ruling Zanu-PF is so deeply entrenched that it would be next to impossible to dislodge it the next general elections if the opposition parties do not join forces, opposition parties are saying.

These sentiments are being shared in some quarters of the Joice Mujuru-led National People's Party (NPP), with members threatening to quit if the party fails to join the MDC Alliance.

The NPP national and provincial executive members have expressed their disgruntlement over the path their party is taking of coalescing with little known political parties under the banner People's Rainbow Coalition (PRC).

Members who spoke to TellZim News said they are willing to rally behind Chamisa and the MDC Alliance as recent events have proven beyond doubt that Chamisa had the people.

"It is time we put out personal interests aside and focus on the bigger picture. As NPP we have faith in our leader Joice Mujuru but in this election, we have to pull our resources together and defeat our one common enemy.

"It has become clear that the people of Zimbabwe have chosen MDC Alliance leader Chamisa as the rightful candidate and we all have to rally behind him so that victory is guaranteed," said one member.

Another member said they had already made efforts to have a meeting with Chamisa and other alliance partners when they come for their rallies in Bikita and Zaka so that they can offer their support.

"Chamisa stands a better chance and he needs all our support. We need to put national interests before our personal ones. We have agreed to have a meeting with Chamisa and the MDC Alliance when they come for their rallies so that we can offer our support.

"We would rather be business people in a conducive environment created by Chimisa than to fight from our small corners and let Zanu-PF rule forever. Once we meet Chamisa we will make an official announcement," another member said.

NPP national spokesperson Jefreyson Chitando said their leader, Mujuru, was the first person to talk about a coalition with the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai before anyone else.

"When we talk of a coalition, Mujuru and Tsvangirai were the first to meet. They have been in talks until the time Tsvangirai was airlifted to South Africa for medical help. We hoped Tsvangirai would get better and come back to seal the deal but unfortunately God took him leaving the whole discussions pending.

"I can tell you that there are ongoing discussions between our leaders but we do not do it in the press. We will go public once we have something tangible. We are willing to work with everyone including the MDC Alliance for us to stand a better chance against Zanu-PF," said Chitando

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa is on record calling for all progressive opposition political forces to come work together to dislodge Zanu-PF.