MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa yesterday rejected an
offer by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to give him official recognition as an
opposition leader, saying he is challenging his rival’s legitimacy.
Mnangagwa revealed during interviews with United States
television networks on the sidelines of the United Nations general assembly
that Chamisa would be given certain perks as leader of the opposition.
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa (wearing a white helmet)
led a clean-up campaign in Glen View and Budiriro, Harare, yesterday. The
high-density suburbs were the most hard hit by the recent cholera outbreak.
Picture: Aaron Ufumeli
The gesture was seen as an attempt to end the dispute that
ensued after the July elections where the MDC Alliance accused the Zanu PF
leader of rigging the elections.
A petition by Chamisa challenging the presidential election
results was thrown out by the Constitutional Court, but the opposition still
refuses to recognise Mnangagwa’s victory.
However, Chamisa told his supporters during a clean-up
campaign in Harare’s Budiriro and Glen View suburbs that he remained focused on
proving that he won the elections.
“They are saying they want me to go to Parliament and I
said: ‘Are you sick?’ I was elected to go to State House and not Parliament,”
he said.
“Hold forth because we are not easily convinced. I have no
fear because I know you are solidly behind me.”
The youthful politician caused a stir in the two suburbs
during the clean-up campaign when thousands of people mobbed him.
Meanwhile, Chamisa told The Standard that he would consider
talks on the proposals announced by Mnangagwa.
“That (position) is a non-issue,” he said. “That has nothing to do with me and the most crucial issue
in this country is to deal with the five issues that we put forward. This
five-point plan is the pass to transformation and legitimacy.”
He said his plan included restoring democracy, offering a reform
package, national healing and peace building, international re-engagement based
on reforms and democratic values and a collective response to the humanitarian
crisis in the country.
“Those are the issues that we must focus on. The issue is
not about creating a position without consensus or that which does not address
the fundamental issues,” he said.
“Zimbabweans are suffering, they are jobless, homeless and
‘happyless’, peaceless and because of the questions of governance and
legitimacy of disputed elections which we must address and correct first.
“You don’t cure symptoms, but you cure causes. The problem
in the country is not cholera, but the biggest disease that we have is a
leadership and governance crisis. Of course, we have cholera, but it is a
manifestation of problems.”
Chamisa condemned the government crackdown against vendors
in Harare saying it was insensitive. He claimed the government was using the
fight against cholera as an excuse to victimise his supporters.
“You turn a disease into a political weapon. Mnangagwa must
not capitalise on a disease for politics,” Chamisa said.
“Mnangagwa must stop harassing vendors. Who is not a
vendor? we are all vendors and it’s only that we have different stations of
vending. Mnangagwa is a vendor when in New York, Beijing or Davos and why
should it be a problem to be a vendor in the CBD when you yourself you are
vending in the capitals of the world?
“Will he be comfortable if he is treated the same way he is
treating vendors here? It’s not good at all.
“I told the councillors that they must not be involved in
harassing the vendors, if they want to victimise people, let them do it on
their own.
“But you know that there is no one who survives forever by
victimising other people and when tables turn we will ask them.”
He said the MDC had a clear plan to revive the economy.
Harare mayor Herbert Gomba said they would not be part of
raids against vendors and also thanked the MDC leadership for supporting them
in the fight against cholera.
Gomba said vendors should be treated with respect as they
contribute to council’s revenue for them to upgrade service delivery.
“Cholera was not caused by vendors, no, and after all it is
not a problem to be a vendor because people will be trying to earn a living,”
he said.
“Cholera was caused by a contaminated borehole at
Tichagarika and not vendors.”
“Therefore, vendors and all the residents must not try to
apportion blame where there is none. Vending is an honest way of earning a
living.”
Cholera has killed at least 49 people out of nearly 7 000
cases recorded mainly in Harare. Standard
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