ZUNDE opposed to another marriage of convenience with Zanu-PF

Zimbabweans United for Democracy (ZUNDE) is concerned about the announcements made by MDC-T President Morgan Tsvangirayi and his Secretary General Tendai Biti that their party is now in favour of re-joining ZPF in another GNU. It is difficult to understand the motivation behind such a decision other than that they are now missing the luxuries of office that they had got used to. We wonder what they wish to achieve which they could not do in the past 5 years when they had a bigger mandate of the electorate than they have now.

ZUNDE wonders how MDC-T is going to fight a system that they are part of. Both Zanu-PF and MDC-T made us believe that the GNU was dysfunctional and Mugabe calls it an evil they will never be part of ever again. MDC-T told us that progress could not be made because Zanu-PF was not interested in change and was insincere. What makes MDC believe that Zanu-PF will change and be more sincere this time around?

At the moment, the MDC-T is trying very hard to disassociate itself from the current salaries scandal which dates back to the time of the GNU and yet they prefer to re-join the same partner which has produced such high level of corruption. It is difficult to understand what has become of the MDC-T. The only explanation is that they have been seriously compromised to the extent of falling in love with Zanu-PF regardless of its iniquity. They seem to have completely run out of options. Now that Rugare Gumbo has categorically dismissed any prospect of yet another inclusive government, what next for MDC-T? ZUNDE has options and new ideas. That makes us different from other movements as time will tell.

ZUNDE believes in a coalition of pro-democracy movements to confront Zanu-PF dictatorship that has destroyed our country. We are therefore calling on the MDC-T to reconsider their ill-conceived and poorly timed decision and partner ZUNDE and the people in their quest for true change and lasting freedom and democracy. If MDC-T is stranded, they must simply admit and look beyond themselves because if they have failed they must not assume that it is impossible to dislodge Zanu-PF.

ZUNDE acknowledges that MDC-T has its own objectives and therefore has a right to re-join Zanu-PF which they seem to have grown to love and respect. We have always questioned why the MDC-T would abandon the demand for real change and go for the cheap "zhing-zhong" democracy Zanu-PF is offering. We have the greatest respect for genuine activists, war veterans, workers and members of the public who have been convinced that MDC-T was the only option available. Now it's not the case; there is ZUNDE to take us past Zanu-PF. ZUNDE is the viable alternative that has the vision of how to dismantle the dictatorship.

ZUNDE is not just calling for a coalition with all pro-democracy political parties, but is also calling on all the people of Zimbabwe; individual activists, civic groups, workers, students, business people, religious groups and social movements to join us in a grand coalition to take positive action to reclaim our humanity, dignity and freedom. ZUNDE is driven by the long standing pan-African philosophy that we are our own liberators. Indeed, we are!

We cannot be free by admiring and joining the oppressor. We can only be free by rejecting undemocratic institutions like Zanu-PF. Children of Zimbabwe, please reflect on this and make your decision before we are locked into yet another hopeless marriage of convenience, another GNU that will delay further our journey to real freedom. The time for modicum change is now behind us.

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