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Grand coalition splits PDP

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The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly facing an imminent split following party leader Tendai Biti’s alleged unilateral decision to join the MDC Alliance without the consent of his other executives.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is reportedly facing an imminent split following party leader Tendai Biti’s alleged unilateral decision to join the MDC Alliance without the consent of his other executives.

BY PAIDAMOYO MUZULU

PDP deputy spokesperson, George Mkhwanazi confirmed the fissures yesterday, describing the MDC Alliance deal as a “fraudulent pact”.

“Members of the People’s Democratic Party have seen the contents of the MDC Alliance agreement reached by the coalition partners, including their own party, and would like to take this opportunity to distance themselves from such a fraudulent pact,” he said.

Mkhwanazi said the majority of ordinary PDP members were appalled that their trusted leadership had accepted to be part of the “sham” agreement for the 2018 harmonised elections.

“This is not, by any stretch of imagination, a coalition pact, it’s a sell-out document and the people do not want their party to be party to the conscription of their leadership into a MDC-T slate,” he said.

Mkhwanazi slammed the distribution of seats, saying it favoured parties with no support.

“Apart from MDC-T and PDP, no other party deserves more than 15 seats,” he said.

But, PDP leader, Tendai Biti yesterday defended the decision, saying the MDC Alliance deal was penned in the best interests of Zimbabweans rather than party officials.

“If the PDP fails to get into the MDC Alliance, the winner is Zanu PF, who will be freely marching to Parliament with a two-thirds majority in 2018; a nightmare too scary to even imagine.”

PDP spokesperson, Jacob Mafume said the party’s executives will meet tomorrow to iron out their differences and clear the air on the coalition.