Tape exposes Mujuru, Tsvangirai links

The Sunday Mail has in its possession a voice recording of MDC-T member Mr Job Sikhala and emissaries from a faction led by Vice-President Joice Mujuru in which they discuss how the two sides can form an alliance to topple President Mugabe.

The clique also discusses how to mount a Constitutional Court challenge against First Lady Dr Grace Mugabe to stop her from denouncing VP Mujuru's alleged corruption, as well as to insinuate that President Mugabe is no fit to hold the highest public office in the land.

At the November 14 meeting, Mr Sikhala confirms that Mr Tsvangirai and Mavambo leader Dr Simba Makoni are amenable to a coalition with VP Mujuru.

He says the conspirators are scheduled to converge at former Zanu-PF Mashonaland East provincial chair Ray Kaukonde's Harare offices once they have a clear picture of the outcome and implications of yesterday's Politburo meeting.

The Zanu-PF emissaries - one of whom The Sunday Mail understands to be Fidelis Fengu - avoid stating who sent them but refer to their principal as "Mudhara G".

Mr Sikhala could not be reached for comment as he was said to be in South Africa, while Mr Fengu's cellphone went unanswered.
 
Sources, however, expressed surprise that Fengu could be involved as he was perceived to be pro-President Mugabe.

He says, in the recording, "What we have to do is to have a brainstorming meeting on what exactly we want to achieve and also how do we do groundwork before the two principals (Mujuru and Tsvangirai) meet. Let's push nyaya yecoalition. These are preliminary talks. They (Mujuru camp) bring in their terms on the table and we find common ground.

"PamaMPs, tichazoita basa because we have many MPs; MDC has 49 seats out of 110. Most of our seats are in urban (areas). Mai Mujuru's strong base is mainly rural. We see how the seats can be shared. So, we will have to talk to your mudhara.

"We do a coalition . . . we can find a coalition name which is not Zanu-PF, which is not MDC. Find an umbrella term without taking away people's identities."

Mr Sikhala says Mr Tsvangirai is ready to work with VP Mujuru if she leaves Zanu-PF after the party's December Congress.

"Tsvangirai is not a stubborn man . . . there is no problem. We can still have a President and Prime Minister. We will be wasting our time to think these guys (Mujuru and Tsvangirai) won't work together. One should be President and the other Prime Minister; zva (Dmitry) Medvedev (Russian premier) na (Vladmir) Putin (Russian president), nyika ichiyenda mberi.

"Mudhara wangu is ready. He is prepared because nguwa yekutora power yasvika. Do you know what? Simba Makoni has already been working with Tsvangirai. They are very good friends. PaSimba paAlex Park ndopatinodyira lunch everyday. Simba naMai Mujuru vanowirirana chaizvo.

"We have to sound each other now; preliminary meetings. Iwe ronga namudhara wako then we meet. It's just preparatory meetings. We discuss the court application kuti: how do we move forward? Two-pronged strategy yekucourt and coalition.

"We embarrass (President) Mugabe nechicourt application chedu. We can meet at Kaukonde's office yeku Belgravia; it's okay. We meet - pari safe."

Last week, our sister paper The Herald reported on Mr Sikhala's meeting with the emissaries.

Mr Tsvangirai has defended VP Mujuru while attacking Dr Mugabe for exposing the former's factionalism and alleged corruption as have several anti-President Mugabe newspapers.