Pressure to forge a united front against Zanu-PF grows

MDC-T leader Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his MDC counterpart Welshman Ncube are under increasing pressure to forge a united front with other political forces to confront Zanu PF ahead of elections set for later this year.

According to Newsday, this came after the two MDC formations, Zapu, Zanu Ndonga and Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn (MKD) recently ganged up against President Robert Mugabe's unilateral declaration of July 31 as the election date.

The parties appealed to Sadc, the regional bloc, through South African President Jacob Zuma to reverse Mugabe's decision.

They are today set to meet for the third time in as many weeks.

The first meeting was attended by Tsvangirai, MDC deputy president Edwin Mushoriwa, Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa, MKD leader Simba Makoni and Zanu Ndonga's Reketai Semwayo.

Sources said MDC-T senior officials were pushing Tsvangirai to
engage other forces with a view to forge an alliance to dislodge Mugabe.

"We have arranged a meeting where the Prime Minister is meeting other political party leaders to discuss issues to do with uniting and challenging Mugabe," a source said.

A senior MDC-T national executive member said the only way Mugabe could be defeated this time was by uniting all democratic forces and the MDC-T was alive to that fact.

"My take is let's roll out our campaign and instill confidence in people. Let's turn the challenge into an opportunity especially by forming one united front," the official said.

Party spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said the MDC-T was open to a coalition especially now that the people had realised how important it was to speak with one voice, both locally and regionally.

"The need to unite all forces for the dislodging of dictatorship is obvious to every right-thinking Zimbabwean," Mwonzora said.

"The MDC will strive for unity of purpose of all progressive forces for the purposes of bringing change in Zimbabwe. Therefore, all political parties that want to enter into a political coalition with us are welcome.

"There is now evidence that the political forces fare better nationally and internationally if they are speaking with one voice."

MDC leader Ncube on Sunday said anyone who wanted a coalition with his party "should satisfy certain conditions" and deal with secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and senior party official Paul Themba Nyathi.

"The standing committee made a position on that and I can only refer you to their position that anyone who wants any coalition with us should satisfy certain conditions and can talk to the treasurer-general (Nyathi) and the secretary-general," Ncube said.

MKD leader Makoni said: "I think we have made our position clear that we are working together and there are consultations that are taking place."

Zanu Ndonga chairman Semwayo said there were ongoing talks for the formation of a coalition and he was in support of a move that would result in the defeat of Zanu PF.

"There are talks to come up with a coalition by the parties and I am in support of such a move. We are supposed to meet tomorrow (today) to discuss issues around that," he said.

Political analyst Pedzisai Ruhanya said of the mooted coalition: "During the Sadc summit, we saw what happens if Tsvangirai and Ncube have unity of purpose.

"We had Tsvangirai destroying the political shenanigans of Zanu PF and Ncube destroying the legal shenanigans of Zanu PF. If they combine or unite, they can ensure a political redemption of this country."