Mthwakazi Republic Party to participate in 2018 elections?

Mthwakazi Republic Party a secessionist party based in Matabeleland has announced that it will in 2018 participate in the general elections to gauge its support.

Sources in the party said in an unusual about turn MRP has all but  announced participation in the 2018 national elections in Zimbabwe in what the party says is a gauge to its influence in anticipation of a cessation referendum.

"In fact to them the 2018 elections will be a Referendum for cessation of Mthwakazi State which they prefer to call it Restoration. Supporters of Mthwakazi Republic Party said this week that the decision for the party to contest 2018 election was reached through a general consensus by party members and its funders,"  said the source.

" A deal and modalities for the elections is almost agreed and done. This happens as the party is being pressured by its supporters, diaspora based business people and funders especially those in South Africa, UK and Canada to contest elections following failure by MDC led by Professor Welshmen Ncube,  ZAPU led by Dabengwa and other parties to reform or at least to have a clear cut development plan for Mthwakazi."

The source said the other parties are considered by the business people a big flop for the region, according to those in Diaspora all the so called National parties are directly or indirectly promoting the Satanic Shona's 1979 Grand Plan which is detrimental for Mthwakazi development.

"Another source who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from the party said, " chances are high that MRP will contest election together with its partners within Mthwakazi to protect their interests as a party and the Region at large. The 2018 elections will be used as a Refurundum by MRP formation to Restore Mthwakazi. The plan is to make Mthwakazi a no go area for all Harare led parties especially ZANU PF , ZimPF, MDC-T, PDP and Mavambo because the party view these as the dangerous Shona suprimists which if not carefully checked they can destroy the region as they have been trying since 1980," said the source.

" Bulawayo residence now wants  MRP to run Bulawayo City Council after MDC-T fielded 24  corrupt councillors half of which were imported", this comes on the back of such a request by Lupane community who wrote a letter to the party asking for representation in Paliarment in 2018 because both Zanu PF and MDC-T parties have failed Lupane community."

He said the election deal is being spear headed by South Africa based business people who feel there is a need for a regional party that can specifically protect the interest of the region without compromise as Mthwakazi people work towards  Restoration.

 "Potential Mthwakazi leaders some of them have since quit politics completely while others have joined Harare led parties hoping to fight for Mthwakazi space from there, though that route has proven to be a complete failure, we realise that people are frustrated and are impatient and they can't wait for other means other than elections," the source said.

"MRP is considered as the only viable party/option for Mthwakazi people since Moses Mzila's plan of launching a regional party have suffered a still birth, it will be futile for MRP to allow all Harare parties to take all the space in our land while we watch".

" We will continue with our Restoration agenda, continue with our Party Congress plans, petition, international lobbying and seeking justice for Gukurahundi genocide victims as planned while the elections will be a test to measure preparedness and chances for Restoration"

 MRP spokesperson Mbonisi Gumbo acknowledged discussions on participation.

He however said the decision is yet to be reached as consultations are still ongoing.

Asked if the party have been approached for grand coalition talks, the party spokesperson said they will not join any coalition that seeks to promote Shona supremacy and dominance insisting that the only coalition the party is prepared to join is a Mthwakazi grand coalition that will not compromise Mthwakazi's fight for self determination.

The party said it is inspired by the Scotland party and also seek to use that route as it has proven that even if the party refuse to participate others will and as a result of that the party may end up disintegrating which is why it must be busy always hence the decision to contest 2018 elections said the source.