Mthwakazi Republic Party to contest 2018 elections

MATABELELAND-BASED Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP), which has consistently snubbed Zimbabwe's elections insisting on Matabeleland independence first, has announced that it will be contesting the 2018 elections.

MRP president, Mqondisi Moyo, told journalists in Bulawayo yesterday that contesting the elections would be important in raising the profile of his party and its restorationist agenda.

"It is true that we had earlier said we will not participate in Zimbabwean elections," he said. "However, due to consultations with the people on the ground, we have changed our minds. We will be contesting in the elections. MRP national executive council (NEC) will lead a nationwide campaign, starting today. We will roll out all necessary programs that will lead us to a resounding victory in election come 2018."

Moyo said his party will contest only "within the borders of Mthwakazi."

"Our participation is focused on the Mthwakazi area, from Beitbridge to Zambezi and from Plumtree to the border in Munyati River, that is the Jameson Line. Our participation will legitimise our struggle and show that we are a party that listens to its grassroots structures," he said.

"We will set up a Mthwakazi parliament soon. Our members of parliament will begin work as soon as the nomination process is completed and will be sworn in at our conference. We will not be limited by the 2018 elections. The education sector remains our single most important target as we will be working with communities to clean the sector in Matabeleland," he said.

MRP becomes the second party to announce that it would contest the elections on a Matabeleland agenda ticket, fielding candidates only in Matabeleland and Midlands provinces.

Announcing the planned launch of the Alliance for National Salvation (Ansa), former national healing minister, Moses Mzila Ndlovu, said his party will contest the elections next year.