EIGHT small political parties and civic society groups from Matabeleland have formed a united political front, Alliance Khumbul’ Ekhaya (AKE), to collectively mobilise resources for their candidates ahead of harmonised elections expected early next year.
REPORT BY OWN CORRESPONDENT
The alliance is expected to be officially launched in Bulawayo on Saturday.
It comprises the Patriotic Union of Matabeleland (Puma), Mthwakazi National Party (MNP), Matabeleland Liberation Organisation (MLO), Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF),
UMhlahlo Wesizwe SikaMthwakazi, the Zimbabwe Unemployed People’s Union (Zupa), Isijula Trust and Zapu-FP.
In a statement, secretary-general of the Mthwakazi Youth Joint Resolution, Thandolwenkosi Dube, said the alliance would also help protect the rights of its members.
“We are obliged to strive for the establishment of an alternative alliance in order to put an end to self-perpetuating rule and establish proper democratic and constitutional safeguards,” he said.
“The government committed genocide against the people of Matabeleland, plundered their resources, crippled industry and destroyed livelihood bases, completely destroying the social security of the people. It has become evident that after three decades of rule under the Zimbabwean Republic, the government has not lived up to its promises and has not shown any commitment to enlarge the freedom of the people or ensure their empowerment.”
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Dube said the establishment of the alliance was aimed at “putting an end to oppressive rule; (and) ensure the empowerment of the people so that they can participate in sustainable development”.
He said the parties were not satisfied with the draft constitution “and the alliance will help to promote the fullest participation of the people of Mthwakazi in development”.
