MDC-T cancels coalition press conference after MDC, Zapu coalition

MDC-T had to cancel a press conference slated for midday Friday after MDC and ZAPU announced coalition in Bulawayo this morning.

Addressing a press conference at the Indaba Room at the Rainbow Hotel today, the MDC President Welshman Ncube and ZAPU President Dumiso Dabengwa said they have been meeting on various occasions and they had agreed on a number of issues.

"MDC and ZAPU united front coalition agreed that in any constituency and ward, where one party has not fielded a candidate the party will mobilise its members and supporters to vote for the other party's candidate," said Ncube.

He said that they share same principles and values with ZAPU and the historical values made it easy for the two parties to work together.

The two parties also agreed that the parties would not discuss or enter into any pact with any other party other than with each other, namely MDC and ZAPU save in the circumstances where an agreement would have been reached between the two parties.

He said that with respect to the issue of the two parties' Presidential candidature, the parties expressed the desirability of consolidating their share of votes by not splitting the vote.

On the issue of the other Presidential candidate stepping down, Ncube and Dabengwa agreed that they are still working on that as the coalition agreement makes all the parties equal.

The MDC and ZAPU alliance was signed by the MDC and ZAPU Presidents and the party Secretary Generals before the press briefing.

The two parties also announced that they will work together after elections and that no will enter into an agreement in the absence of the other.