MDC-T to form a coalition against Zanu-PF

THE MDC-T has renewed efforts to form a coalition against Zanu-PF amid indications that party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai has been Nicodimously meeting protagonists to iron out differences ahead of harmonised elections to be held before June 29.

Sources said the MDC-T was running scared after the record referendum voter turnout that saw over three million Zimbabweans endorse the draft constitution with traditional Zanu-PF strongholds driving the "Yes Vote", a development confirmed by MDC-T allies among them the NCA and the shadowy Sokwanele.

Nearly 179 500 people voted "No" and with the NCA/MDC99/PTUZ alliance that advocated the "No Vote" claiming this constituency, Mr Tsvangirai is believed to be angling for such potential voters in light of several recent surveys that have forecast a Zanu-PF victory in the harmonised elections.

Mr Tsvangirai last week met Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe secretary-general Mr Raymond Majongwe at his Highlands house and sent emissaries to long time arch rival and former MDC St Mary's legislator Mr Job Sikhala while efforts are also underway to sweet-talk NCA chairperson Professor Lovemore Madhuku.

Mr Tsvangirai reportedly sent a team led by his party's national organising secretary Mr Nelson Chamisa to meet Mr Sikhala.

"Tsvangirai's emissaries met Sikhala at a house in Eastlea with the intention of persuading him and his MDC99 party to forge an alliance with the MDC-T. It is understood that Sikhala, who was unceremoniously dismissed from the MDC by Mr Tsvangirai in 2005, did not give a definite answer. Sikhala believes Tsvangirai just wants to use and dump him.

The emissaries are said to have promised Sikhala 'good rewards' if the MDC-T wins the election,'' said the source.

Mr Sikhala is said to have promised to consider the proposal and demanded to meet Mr Tsvangirai in person.

The source said he also wanted to consult his allies, among them Prof Madhuku and Mr Majongwe.

It is believed Prof Madhuku intends to form a political party after the elections and is banking on support from Mr Sikhala and Mr Majongwe's constituencies.

Mr Sikhala yesterday confirmed meeting Mr Chamisa.

"The meeting was to see how we can work together and push the agenda and win the fight against Zanu-PF. I have not met Tsvangirai to hear what he basically wants from me.

"I will make a decision after meeting him to hear what he exactly wants. I can also not make a decision on my own as I work in a broader coalition involving Madhuku and Majongwe. Whatever the collective decision we will take is the one that will carry the day. I will also consult my national executive and national council in MDC 99," he said.

Mr Sikhala is a founding MDC member but was unceremoniously expelled from the party by Mr Tsvangirai in 2005. He sat in the MDC national executive and was the party's secretary for defence.

Mr Majongwe confirmed meeting Mr Tsvangirai in a separate interview with The Herald.

"It is true I met the PM. He phoned me and I met him at his house and we exchanged notes. It was quite a chat," he said.

Prof Madhuku professed ignorance over the MDC-T's efforts of forming a coalition with the NCA but confirmed digesting issues to do with the constitution with the MDC-T hierarchy

MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora could neither confirm nor deny the party's efforts at reaching out to other political players.

"Well, the MDC has always maintained that it welcomes unity of purpose of all progressive forces but the MDC will not impose itself on anybody . We are for unity with the civil society and collaboration with other like-minded political parties who are willing to work with us. However, we have not formally met anyone," he said.

The MDC was in alliance with several civil society groups among them the NCA, ZCTU, Zinasu, and PTUZ but the alliance broke down when the MDC-T joined the inclusive Government in 2008 with its erstwhile partners accusing it of thinking ''it had arrived''.