THE MDC-T renewal team yesterday said moves towards a “grand coalition” with other “progressive democratic forces” in the country to unseat the ruling Zanu PF in the 2018 elections were taking shape.
MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER
Interim chairman Samuel Sipepa Nkomo told journalists in Harare that the faction was engaging churches, political parties, civic society and other “democrats” to form a formidable force against President Robert Mugabe.
He said their idea had found takers in Zimbabwe, the region and international community.
Sipepa Nkomo said talks had been held with the MDC led by Welshman Ncube, Dumiso Dabengwa’s Zapu and Simba Makoni’s Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn.
Efforts were being made to engage the Lovemore Madhuku-led National Constitutional Assembly, he said.
“I do know that a preliminary meeting has been held and we have agreed in principle that it will be good to work together in a grand coalition and hopefully next week, we will hold a second meeting on the issues and hope to agree that it’s futile to work separately and hope to get results,” Sipepa Nkomo said.
On whether MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai would be part of the arrangement, Sipepa Nkomo said: “This coalition is a coalition for democrats and all democrats are welcome, the criteria are one must be a democrat and if the party you refer to are democrats and not violent, they are welcome.”
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The ex-Water minister said the Mandel declaration, which “suspended” Tsvangirai and other standing committee members still stood as it was done within the confines of the party’s constitution.
Sipepa Nkomo also condemned the brief detention of Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya over alleged theft of MDC-T property as a legal nullity.
“How can someone steal property that belongs to him? That is a nullity and you see he was released because really, there was no issue,” Sipepa Nkomo said.
He said following the announcement by Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda last Thursday that the MDC-T factions must fight their case in court, more MPs and councillors had shown their intention to join his faction.
Sipepa Nkomo challenged Zanu PF to engage other stakeholders, including foreign investors, the Church, political parties, labour and business, at a national indaba on how the current economic downturn could be halted.
The faction also added its voice to the growing concerns over the abduction of more than 200 Nigerian girls by a terrorist group, Boko Haram.
Fired MDC-T deputy treasurer general Elton Mangoma, who also attended the Press conference, said the faction met African diplomats accredited to Zimbabwe last week to explain their position and their intended move going forward.
