MDC dismiss re-unification speculation

WELSHMAN Ncube's MDC yesterday dismissed renewed speculation that it was closer to reuniting with the MDC-T as "lies" meant to disrupt its preparations for forthcoming elections.

In a statement, MDC said reunification was impossible before or after the elections.

"We wish to state unequivocally and with finality that the MDC is not engaged with the MDC-T in any talks to do with coalition, pact or unification now or in the near future and no amount of lies, coercion or fabrication of the truth will make that happen," the party's spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube said.

"It is our hope that this final clarification will put to rest the often annoying and pushy attempts through public pontification for a coalition of any shape, form or type by those who want an MDC -T success at our and the people's expense."

He said the party's detractors were trying to distract its members from preparing for the elections.

"It has become crystal clear that due to feelings of inadequacy in some quarters, certain elements have switched to panic mode and are thus agitating for the so-called coalition, which will never happen," Dube said.

"History knows that we have tried this route before. History also records that we went on a limb in attempting to find common ground with the MDC-T in 2008. History further remembers that we came out of that attempt the worse for wear, hence to us that was a lesson well learnt."

The MDC split in 2005 after Tsvangirai objected to a decision by his lieutenants to participate in Senate elections. Attempts to reunite the parties failed on the eve of the 2008 harmonised polls.

A columnist in the State media, believed to be President Robert Mugabe's spokesperson George Charamba, at the weekend warned that Zanu PF must brace for a reunified MDC in the polls expected in July.

Writing under the pen name Nathaniel Manheru, the writer claimed MDC leader Welshman Ncube would be made Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's deputy.