MDC-T rebels form alliance, claims

MDC-T rebels who are contesting the July 31 harmonised elections as independent candidates met in Gweru yesterday and formed a coalition.

The coalition, the Independent Candidates Coalition (ICC) members came from different parts of the southern part of the country that include Bulawayo, Gweru, Vungu, Chiredzi, Kwekwe and Redcliff. They selected an interim steering committee to lead them into elections.

Redcliff businessman and independent candidate for the constituency Mr Aaron Chinhara is the interim chairperson, Mr Prince Dube who will be contesting the Emakhandeni constituency is the secretary-general, former Gweru mayor Mr Tedius Chimombe, who is eyeing the Gweru urban seat, is the organising secretary, aspiring Ward Two councillor Ms Holy Dzuda is the treasurer and outgoing Magwegwe Member of Parliament, Mr Felix Magalela Mafa Sibanda is the coalition spokesperson.

Gweru's MDC-T dismissed and suspended councillors were also present at the meeting.

The independent candidates will be contesting in the National Assembly and council elections.

They said they were confident of winning the elections.

ICC spokesperson, Mr Sibanda said they were fighting the rot that had bedevilled MDC-T.

He said MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai had lost control of the party as he surrounded himself with "deadwood" which misleads him.

"We believe in free and fair elections and non-violence. We have been brought together by common grievances that have not been corrected for long. We have discovered that Mr Tsvangirai is not to blame but is surrounded by vultures and deadwood. The MDC has been personalised by certain individuals. Mr Tsvangirai is being misled and the party is divided.

Some people are positioning themselves by putting individuals aligned to them in party structures. This has been brought about by the feeling that Mr Tsvangirai will step down probably in 2016," said Mr Sibanda.

The rebels spokesperson said the MDC-T primary elections were a farce or a circus as results were predetermined.

He said those with money were finding their way up the party hierarchy at the expense of the founders.

"There is also a tribal card, regional card and racism card at play within the MDC-T. In Matabeleland, for example, those with money are getting themselves into leadership positions. We have people who are too powerful. We don't want too powerful individuals, we don't want dictators. We have names of such individuals who are stifling democracy by threatening us but we are holding their names for tactical reasons. If they continue to harass us we will name and shame them," said Mr Sibanda.

He said one of his supporters was kidnapped yesterday by MDC-T activists while putting up campaign posters in Magwegwe.

Mr Sibanda said other independent candidates were facing similar challenges in their constituencies.

"MDC-T activists should be given lessons in democracy. They should be educated not to disturb others in their campaigns . . . to be tolerant of diverse views. We will win in our respective constituencies as independents and bring democracy to that August House (parliament)," he said.

Mr Sibanda said the meeting was also meant to give independent candidates a platform to exchange notes and ideas as well as motivate one another ahead of the elections. He appealed to well-wishers to donate in cash and kind to the ICC coffers and help bring "true" democracy to the country. 

In his maiden chairperson speech Mr Chinhara said the independent candidates decided to come together and come up with a strategy to help each other win the elections.