News / National
'Tsvangirai calls sincere,' says Mwonzora
06 Mar 2014 at 07:51hrs | Views
MDC-T national spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora has said party leader Morgan Tsvangirai was sincere in his call for those who broke away from the original opposition party to return so they can form a united front against Zanu-PF in the 2018 elections.
On Sunday, Tsvangirai pleaded with MDC leader Welshman Ncube, MDC 99 leader Job Sikhala and National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) chairperson Lovemore Madhuku to return to the fold to fight Zanu-PF as one.
Ncube and Sikhala left the MDC in 2005 following a row over participation in the Senate elections and Madhuku disengaged the NCA from backing the MDC-T during the Copac constitution-making process.
Ncube formed his own MDC whose performance in the 2008 elections saw it emerging as a kingmaker after the polls produced Zimbabwe's first hung Parliament.
But the party did not win a single contested seat in last year's polls.
The MDC-T and MDC have both spurned calls for an alliance that would have dislodged Zanu-PF from power in the 2008 polls.
Mwonzora said Tsvangirai's pleas at the party's rally in the high-density suburb of Budiriro in Harare for unification of opposition forces in the country were sincere.
"I do not know why some parties have resorted to slander in this issue. We need to be a united front to fight this dictatorship," Mwonzora said.
"It makes sense for people to unite as a force instead of challenging Zanu-PF as small political fiefdoms," he said.
Sikhala has left doors open for negotiations "if Tsvangirai follows proper channels".
Madhuku said he would not comment on issues he had not been apprised of by Tsvangirai himself.
But MDC spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube said his party did not take any calls for engagement made at a rally seriously, but said they were open to a coalition with other political parties through proper negotiations.
Mwonzora said an early congress for the party was a possibility if the national executive council demanded it.
"The president (Tsvangirai) has said if that happens, he is not opposed to it and if anyone wants to contest any position, they are free to do so," Mwonzora said.
On Sunday, Tsvangirai pleaded with MDC leader Welshman Ncube, MDC 99 leader Job Sikhala and National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) chairperson Lovemore Madhuku to return to the fold to fight Zanu-PF as one.
Ncube and Sikhala left the MDC in 2005 following a row over participation in the Senate elections and Madhuku disengaged the NCA from backing the MDC-T during the Copac constitution-making process.
Ncube formed his own MDC whose performance in the 2008 elections saw it emerging as a kingmaker after the polls produced Zimbabwe's first hung Parliament.
But the party did not win a single contested seat in last year's polls.
The MDC-T and MDC have both spurned calls for an alliance that would have dislodged Zanu-PF from power in the 2008 polls.
Mwonzora said Tsvangirai's pleas at the party's rally in the high-density suburb of Budiriro in Harare for unification of opposition forces in the country were sincere.
"I do not know why some parties have resorted to slander in this issue. We need to be a united front to fight this dictatorship," Mwonzora said.
"It makes sense for people to unite as a force instead of challenging Zanu-PF as small political fiefdoms," he said.
Sikhala has left doors open for negotiations "if Tsvangirai follows proper channels".
Madhuku said he would not comment on issues he had not been apprised of by Tsvangirai himself.
But MDC spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube said his party did not take any calls for engagement made at a rally seriously, but said they were open to a coalition with other political parties through proper negotiations.
Mwonzora said an early congress for the party was a possibility if the national executive council demanded it.
"The president (Tsvangirai) has said if that happens, he is not opposed to it and if anyone wants to contest any position, they are free to do so," Mwonzora said.
Source - newsday
