The Welshman Ncube-led MDC yesterday said it was never involved in coalition talks with either Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC-T or Simba Makoni’s Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn, saying such reports were “shameless lies”.
Report by Blondie Ndebele
In a statement, MDC secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga said reports that Ncube had been offered the vice-presidency were false, describing Makoni’s statements as dishonest. Misihairabwi-Mushonga said that was why the party did not want to associate with such politicians.
“We, therefore, dismiss with the contempt it deserves the deliberate falsification over this matter by Simba Makoni,” she said.
“This is precisely why we have no desire to be associated with political parties and political leaders who have mastered the art of politics of deception.”
Misihairabwi-Mushonga said the party had only heard about coalition reports from the media and had never entered into negotiations with other parties.
“In his self-appointed capacity of spokesperson of the tripartite coalition, Makoni is better advised to learn to tell the truth and desist from shamelessly misinforming the public and calling our reputation to question,” she said.
“We only hear about the coalition reports in the media and are shocked and appalled each time we read that we were in these meetings.”
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Misihairabwi-Mushonga said the “lies around the so-called grand coalition have gone on for long enough and as a party we would like to reassure the public that they are false and only created for deceiving the public and grandstanding”.
The MDC has always insisted that it was never involved in coalition talks with the MDC-T despite numerous claims that a deal was close. On Monday, Makoni said his alliance with Tsvangirai and Zanu Ndonga’s Reketai Semwayo had been involved in talks with Ncube and expected positive results.
There had also been reports that a tussle for posts had put paid to hopes of a coalition, but Ncube again denied this, saying such talks had not taken place in the first place. On Monday, Ncube again distanced himself from reports that there were talks to form a coalition ahead of this month’s elections.
In an interview after a district assembly meeting at his rural home in Vungu, Lower Gweru, Ncube said he did not know anything about the coalition.
“People who were talking about the grand coalition were leaders from MDC-T, Zapu, Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn and Zanu Ndonga,” he said.
“Some of us were not there. We did not take part in it and I have no idea what happened in those discussions.”
Ncube said Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa was invited to a meeting to form a coalition and gave an account of what happened in those meetings. “We are not part of anything that is called the grand coalition. We know nothing about it.”
Instead, Ncube’s MDC has formed an alliance with Zapu.
Meanwhile, Mutumwa Mawere, who unsuccessfully lodged a bid to contest the presidential elections, has backed Tsvangirai for the top post.
“Like many voters, I have watched the performance of the inclusive government and if there was any doubt about who is the problem, the proclamation of the nomination and election dates has fortified my belief that Zimbabwe needs a new face to inspire hope,” he said.
Mawere denied reports linking him to the United Movement for Democracy, instead urging those behind the party to throw their lot behind the MDC-T leader.
