The MDC-T is in a catch 22 situation on how to deal with ex-Zanu PF top officials following reports former Mashonaland West chairperson, Temba Mliswa wanted to be readmitted into the ruling party.
by XOLISANI NCUBE
His remarks in a local State-owned daily have caused anxiety within the MDC-T, which had seemingly accepted him as an ally in the fight against President Robert Mugabe and his Zanu PF.
Chalton Hwende, the MDC-T deputy treasurer-general used Facebook to register his displeasure at Mliswa’s alleged statements saying they “vindicated most of the MDC-T members, who were sceptical about having a coalition with the disgruntled former Zanu PF members”.
“The story about Temba Mliswa’s return to Zanu PF vindicates those of us against joining hands with disgruntled ex Zanu PF rejects like [former Vice-President] Amai Joice Mujuru,” he said.
“Apart from this, these people have [allegedly] murdered our people, looted State resources and are responsible for the misery we are currently facing as Zimbabweans. The Zanu PF officials cannot, therefore, become our new liberators they must wait to be arrested and jailed for the crimes they committed.”
But party secretary-general, Douglas Mwonzora said, as far as he was concerned, Mliswa had alleged that he was misquoted by State media, hinting that the MDC-T was ready to engage ex-Zanu PF members seeking to dislodge Mugabe.
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“He has told us that he was misquoted and as far as I know, he issued a statement on social media clarifying his statement,” he said.
“As a party, we will treat each case as it comes and see whether there is need to accommodate those who were kicked out of Zanu PF and how we will integrate with them. As MDC we are ready to engage all progressive forces who want to remove Zanu PF from power because it has failed.”
Rugare Gumbo, spokesperson of the ex-Zanu PF group, which calls itself People First, said although they have not formally started engaging with the opposition, they would not be swayed from their thrust of improving the country by people with different agendas.
“We are not moved by that at all, we have stated long ago that Mliswa has his own agenda and people should separate him from us and treat him differently,” he said.
After they were kicked out of Zanu PF in December last year on allegations of plotting to oust President Robert Mugabe, a number of ex-Zanu PF members, who include Mujuru, have been said to be holding private talks with the opposition to form an alliance and challenge the Zanu PF leader in 2018.
But the said talks are yet to be formalised as PF members are yet to form their political party.
