THE former Speaker of Parliament and MDC national
chairperson, Lovemore Moyo, has warned brawling MDC officials that they risked
losing their relevance unless they urgently heal their rift.
Speaking to the Daily News on Sunday yesterday, Moyo
described the mindless bloodletting as a “useless power struggle”.
This comes as the two groups loyal to Nelson Chamisa and
Thokozani Khupe are involved in what has variously also been described as a “zero-sum
game” for control of the country’s largest opposition party.
Breaking his silence over the damaging infighting, the
respected Moyo said pointedly that the feud had “absolutely nothing to do with
serving the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe”.
“The fight between the two formations is purely a power
struggle. It’s about fighting for control of the soul of the MDC and (the late)
President Morgan Tsvangirai’s political legacy.
“More importantly, it’s about who is who in the MDC
leadership,” the now leader of the United Movement for Devolution (UMD) said.
“Unfortunately, there is no winner in the on-going
political fight as the two parties will significantly lose the opposition vote,
supporters and credibility.
“Actually, Zanu PF will emerge the biggest winner as it
stands from a divided and uncoordinated opposition come the 2023 general
elections.
“Remember, the 2005 MDC split set a wrong precedent that
one can disregard the party constitution, regulations and rules and still
remain in charge of the party,” Moyo further told the Daily News On Sunday.
“In this regard, weak party structures capitulated and
supported Tsvangirai in defying the national council decision on the Senate
participation.
“However, it must be noted that Tsvangirai went on to build
a strong and vibrant MDC that performed exceptionally well in elections,” the
soft spoken former Matobo legislator said.
“My advice is very simple. Put the interests of the people
of Zimbabwe first. Your personal egos and interests will always be accommodated
if you deliver electoral victory in plebiscites.
“What you are doing to yourselves, tearing each other
apart, especially on social media, makes Zanu PF smile. Focus on the ball.
“None of the two parties is holding the ball. It’s Zanu PF
that is currently holding and playing the ball,” Moyo added.
Turning to his own
party, he said he was happy with the pace of things.
“I am extremely happy to be part of a devolutionist
movement. Our political ideology, mission and vision differ fundamentally from
the ones pursued by the MDCs.
“Also, our political approach is based on the concept of
provincialism, guided by the principle of supremacy of the provinces.
“Our political approach centres on empowerment of
communities. Remember, the factors that led to my resignation from the MDC
still exist — like tribalism, marginalisation, inequality, violence and
constitutionalism,” Moyo said.
The MDC factions
have been at each other’s throats ever since the Supreme Court annulled
Chamisa’s 2018 ascendancy to the leadership of the party and installed Khupe as
interim MDC president with the mandate to organise an extra-ordinary congress
within three months of the ruling to elect a new party leader. Daily News
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