SHARP divisions have emerged in the opposition MDC over how
to confront the ruling Zanu PF over the deteriorating economy and achieve
meaningful political reforms before the 2023 elections.
Insiders say the party is smarting from the ruthless
response by security agents crushing its planned protests against the
government of President Emmerson Mnangagwa on August 16, which it accuses of
political repression and mismanaging the economy.
While anger has mounted among Zimbabweans over triple-digit
inflation, rolling power cuts, cash, fuel and medicines challenges, among
others, the police banned the opposition protests, fired tear gas and used
truncheons to disperse crowds.
The police action has left the opposition party searching
for a palatable response.
“There is desire to get a new direction for the party
because the leadership is obviously worried about the abductions, torture and
assaults,” a well-placed source revealed.
“There is a need to balance between getting results and
appearing (not) to be the same as the regime that we are fighting. However,
others want an all-out confrontation.”
MDC-T vice-president Obert Gutu told Alpha Media Holdings
radio and TV station HStv that senior members of Chamisa’s party were beginning
to question the party’s leadership and strategy, and were now nudging him
towards talks with Zanu PF and Mnangagwa.
Gutu backed his claims by producing private communication
between himself and a senior official in the MDC, who also sits in the
opposition party’s national executive.
“Senior party members in the MDC are beginning to question
the strategy being employed in the party. Some want him (party leader Nelson
Chamisa) to join POLAD [Political Actors Dialogue] because dialogue is the only
way. They want him off the streets, but he (Chamisa) is power hungry,” he said.
The message, from the senior MDC official sent to Gutu,
celebrated the crushing of the demonstrations, with the national executive
member saying he has been advocating for talks, but was labelled a sell-out,
and crowed that the recent failures of the demonstrations vindicated him.
“Slowly, we will win. The people in the party will realise
the real issues,” part of the message read.
The late founding MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai used
protests against former President Robert Mugabe, but failed to unseat him.
Party spokesperson Daniel Molokele denied that the party
had fissures or Chamisa’s leadership was being questioned, describing the
allegations as nonsense.
“Those are useless lies,” he said.
Gutu’s source, a national executive member (named) who was
appointed by Chamisa, appears to be mobilising from within to push the MDC
towards dialogue or oust the youthful leader.
Chamisa has refused to join Mnangagwa’s dialogue unless it
was led by a neutral convener.
The MDC has, however, said the demonstrations were not a
failure, but had unmasked the new dispensation as nothing more than a
repressive regime with no respect for the rule of law.
A number of MDC activists and demonstrators were arrested
during and after the Harare demonstrations, including the organising secretary
Amos Chibaya.
Over six of its party members were allegedly abducted and
tortured from the time the demonstrations were announced, courting
international condemnation of government’s excesses.
Insiders said the MDC is particularly worried that it was
not getting the ear of Sadc and Africa as it confronts Mnangagwa.
The region has stood solidly behind Mnangagwa and refused
to entertain the legitimacy card being bandied forth by the MDC. Newsday
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