MDC leader Welshman Ncube says his party still has a duty to hold the ruling Zanu PF accountable despite President Robert Mugabe’s reluctance to promote democracy.
BY STAFF REPORTER
Ncube whose party has been hit by resignations of senior officials has joined the MDC-T and MDC-Renewal team in boycotting elections in the country demanding electoral reforms.
MDC formations insist they would boycott the 16 parliamentary by-elections set for June 10.
The by-elections set to be the biggest in the history of Zimbabwe, were set by Mugabe after MDC-T expelled 21 MPs and senators aligned to MDC-Renewal.
Zanu PF fired its former secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa and his nephew Temba Mliswa, paving the way for by-elections in their constituencies.
Ncube, in an Easter message released yesterday, said it remained the duty of his party and the opposition in general to help Zimbabweans fight for their rights.
“In the case of Zimbabwe, the masses may be suffering from State monopolies, a dysfunctional health delivery system, unemployment, poverty, poor quality education and more often than not, ignorance of voting procedures and participation in local governance,” the former Industry minister said.
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“As MDC, it remains our duty to set a blazing trail of voter and civic education, despite legal obstacles placed on our path by an ungrateful incumbent government.
He added: “We must hold on as a symbol of integrity and effective leadership rather than the epitome of usual pre-electoral dubious promises only meant to deceive gullible voters.”
Ncube said the MDC should ensure that Zimbabweans maintained faith in politics despite lack of a conducive environment to participate freely.
“We must continue to motivate people to participate in politics and equip them with necessary skills to participate meaningfully in democracy and democratic governance,” he said.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that masses understand just what their vote means.”
He said Zanu PF had skewed and primitive perception of opposition which was retrogressive.
“Yet unlike the preindependence Zipra and Zanla entities, the MDC has neither interest nor privilege to back its political programme with AK47s,” Ncube said.
“ We have to keep reminding Mugabe how important it is for a civilised government to accept the role of the opposition, whether or not MDC is ‘small’ or external to government.”
Ncube’s MDC and MDC-Renewal led by Sekai Holland are pushing for the reunification of the parties under the United MDC umbrella.
