'MDC-T not fazed by political dwarfs union'

MDC-T says it is unfazed by the reunification of two formations of the MDC, describing the newly-created United Movement for Democratic Change as a coalition of "political dwarfs", in what analysts view as sour grapes.

The MDC led by Welshman Ncube and the MDC Renewal, which split from the Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC in 2005 and this year respectively, on Wednesday formally signed a unity pact, minus the founding leader of the opposition party.

MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu told our sister paper Southern Eye that Tsvangirai was not losing sleep, claiming their party remained the most popular in Zimbabwe.

"As the MDC, we are more concerned with pressing national issues such as the crippled economy as well as the collapsing health delivery system," he said.

"We remain the largest and most popular political party in Zimbabwe by the sheer size of our enormous support base throughout Zimbabwe.

"We are unfazed by the coalition of political midgets and Lilliputians.

"It is not about us teaming up with political dwarfs, but rather, it is about the need to ensure that the collapsing political dinosaur called Zanu-PF is permanently confined to the dustbin of history."

But MDC-T critics say Gutu's statement was nothing but sour grapes, saying Tsvangirai no longer has what it takes to take on Zanu-PF.

UMDC spokesperson Jacob Mafume cautioned the MDC-T, saying the so-called dwarf would prove very powerful come 2018.

"We are not political dwarfs, but what we are clear about is that the people came in their numbers to celebrate the reunification of the people and not to hero-worship anyone, but to work as equals," he said.

"We are not looking for a messianic figure, but we are sure the collective political will of the people of Zimbabwe, if harnessed properly, will overcome the dictatorship of (President) Robert Mugabe."

The UMDC is co-led by Welshman Ncube and Sekai Holland until its inaugural elective congress, tentatively set for August next year.