Opposition working on post-Mugabe era

ZAPU leader Dumiso Dabengwa has revealed that opposition political parties are strategising on a post President Robert Mugabe era to ensure that there is peace and stability in the country.

Speaking at the Zapu congress in Bulawayo yesterday, Dabengwa said opposition political parties have met and discussed possible scenarios in the event that Mugabe steps down or dies in office.

"We have to look as to where we will be if the government falls. If it happens that, that old man (Mugabe) is called by God to go and receive punishment for what he did, what will we do?" he asked.

"There is a lot of fighting in Zanu-PF. There are the G40s and the Lacostes. Are we going to fold our hands and watch? There will be serious riots and some will run out of the country. What we said is that we will call each other as political parties and talk over what can help the people of Zimbabwe."

Dabengwa added: "There are some men like Ibbo Mandaza, Temba Dlodlo and others who call themselves Platform of Concerned Citizens. A few months ago they sat and came up with the view that Mugabe must be asked to step down and go to his home in Zvimba. There will be no one to trouble him."

Dabengwa said the proposed National Transitional Authority (NTA) can look at what to do in accordance with the Constitution.

"While they are doing that, political parties will be continuing with their mobilisation in their organisations. But Parliament and judiciary will be left operating during transition. When the ground is level and those who are clever and smart would then win the election," Dabengwa said.

He said the NTA could take charge of government and Cabinet, while political parties will not be part of it.

Dabengwa said parties will go around informing their membership on various issues concerning the transition and get their views on what should be done.