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NewsDay

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Mangoma’s party moots regional diplomatic offensive

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OPPOSITION politician Elton Mangoma says his newly-formed Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe will soon go on a regional diplomatic offensive .

OPPOSITION politician Elton Mangoma says his newly-formed Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) will soon go on a regional diplomatic offensive targeting selected African countries in a bid to reach out to a broader audience.

BY OBEY MANAYITI

RDZ was formed last week after Mangoma broke out of MDC Renewal Team following his fallout with Tendai Biti. He was accused of snatching a fellow party member’s wife.

Party spokesperson Pishai Muchauraya told NewsDay on Friday that within three months they would have set up proper party structures in preparation for the diplomatic offensive.

“In the next three months, we will have a roadmap. We cannot live in isolation, therefore, we need to introduce ourselves to Sadc countries, the African Union and the rest of the world interested in seeing Zimbabwe working again,” Muchauraya said.

“Certainly we are going to occupy that political space which was missing all along. What we have managed to do is to distance ourselves from sellouts. It’s not about the number of political parties in the country, but winning the hearts of people.

“We are going to consult the people and do what they want. Our track record is so clear. Our leader was very outstanding as Energy minister in the inclusive government. We will stand by the people and for one to win elections you need to stand by the people.”

Muchauraya accused Biti of denouncing Zanu PF officials in public and supping with them under the cover of darkness.

“When we were in the inclusive government, the outstanding issues were about (former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon) Gono and (Prosecutor-General) Johannes Tomana (then Attorney General), but shortly after the inclusive government, Biti is now Gono’s lawyer — all for the love of money,” he said.

“He has forgotten that Gono was responsible for the inflation experienced in the country which affected many pensioners and caused the closure of many companies. Biti has forgotten how the money printed by Gono was used to sponsor (Zanu PF) terror, but all for the love of money he can’t see that.”

Mucharauraya added that Biti erred when he admitted that MDC-T was outclassed by Zanu PF in the last harmonised elections when the party claimed it was rigged.

But, MDC Renewal spokesperson Jacob Mafume scoffed at Muchauraya’s claims describing the statements as “sour grapes”.

“We can’t surely dignify some of these people’s rumblings. They formed their party and they should accordingly deal with that. Any suggestion that we are sellouts is laughable and malicious,” Mafume said.

Biti refused to comment referring all questions to Mafume.