A Response to Wilbert Mukori from Vince Musewe

It is at times futile to have press debates on contentious issues because these debates never really end as we tend to be selective on what catches our attention based on our mental biases and dispositions and may therefore completely miss what we are saying to each other.

I must however hasten to correct some of Mukori's misconceptions about my views and stance on the issue of political reforms and coalition politics. My objective here is really to make sure my readers have the correct information from which they are then free to come to whichever conclusions they wish. I do not wish to change Mukori's vices and incorrect assertions- that is up to him.

At no stage have I ever said that we should not have political reforms because these are critical if we are to create a new democracy in Zimbabwe. My concern has always been that these reforms will not come from continuous opinion pieces which Mukori offers regularly, but through a collective informed action to make sure that they happen on the ground.

I have also said that it is most likely that ZANU (PF) will do all they can to ensure that the reforms we seek will not be in place by 2018 and in that case, we need to come up with ways and means to bring ZANU(PF) to the table. The likes Mukori have offered no strategy on this at all.

Currently there is no tangible pressure which we are putting on ZANU (PF) except harsh words and that will not work. We need a solid plan here. What that solid plan could be is subject to debate and agreement amongst all democratic forces and the sooner we do that the better. I do not have all the solutions as Mukori insinuates but I have opinions which I think could be useful.

I am also an avid protagonist for coalition politics so that we can begin to create a culture of inclusive politics. This means that all of us must for once focus on the goal of removing ZANU (PF) from power. Granted they have been political mistakes by all, however, focusing on those mistakes and not offering an alternative is a waste of energy.

I therefore support the idea that all opposition democratic forces, regardless of their historical mistakes, must work together for the greater good of the country. What we must ensure is that those mistakes never happen again and that requires that we build new inclusive and accountable political institutions.

I am rather intrigued by Mr Mukori's selective approach because he deliberately ignores my articles on these issues and rushes to package me as he wishes. That is common.

I would like to refer my judicious readers to my recent article asking - what if there are no reforms by 2018. Something which is highly probable given our historical experience with ZANU (PF).

I must also direct my readers to my other article titled- why coalition politics matters.

With regards to his assertion that my joining of PDP is dumping Tsvagirai and Mujuru, that is incorrect. I have never been a party member of these political outfits so I have dumped nobody at all. All I have done has been to offer my readers what I think about them and their future role in Zimbabwean politics.

I will however still continue to promote the idea of a grand coalition. I also continue to insist that Mujuru and Tsvangirai will remain part of the political dialogue in Zimbabwe for the foreseeable future whether we like them or not.

My views may of course change in the future as things change and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. In fact I have no issue with eating my own words. It's a rather healthy diet.

Vince Musewe is an economist, author and Secretary for Finance and Economic Affairs for PDP. The views expressed in this article are his personal views.