UMDC steps up preps for launch

THE MDC formation led by Welshman Ncube has gone a gear up in setting up and verifying its structures ahead of the merger with the MDC-Renewal team led by the interim president Sekai Holland.

THE MDC formation led by Welshman Ncube has gone a gear up in setting up and verifying its structures ahead of the merger with the MDC-Renewal team led by the interim president Sekai Holland. Richard Muponde Senior Reporter

The two formations last month signed an agreement in Harare to form a new party, United Movement for Democratic Change (UMDC).

Welshman-Ncube
Welshman-Ncube

MDC spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube yesterday confirmed that his party was busy setting up structures before New Year in preparation of the merger.

“It’s a process and it’s still going on,” he said.

“What we are essentially doing is a verification of the structure so that we don’t have the pre-election set-up.

“We are hoping by the time we get into the New Year we would have finished. We are already done with the provinces, we are now going into districts.”

The formal launch of the merged parties is expected to be held mid next month.

The UMDC is co-led by Ncube and Holland until its inaugural elective congress tentatively slated for August 2015.

MDC spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube
MDC spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube

During the signing ceremony of the reunification in Harare, MDC-Renewal leader Tendai Biti in his speech apologised to Ncube and members of his party for the personal abuse he heaped on them following the 2005 split in the former labour movement.

Biti said the split in 2005 left them devastated to the extent they resorted to personal attacks against Ncube and his colleagues who led the breakaway following internal policy differences.

However, Ncube said the reunified party should speak of economic reforms as joblessness had increased from 1999 levels with companies continuing to close.