CONTROVERSIAL Zanu PF-linked cleric Obadiah Msindo has
claimed that opposition MDC leader Nelson Chamisa lost a golden opportunity to
push for electoral reforms for the 2023 general elections when he spurned
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s offer to appoint him the official opposition
leader in Parliament.
Speaking on the sidelines of Olinda Marowa’s album launch
that was graced by popular South African singer Deborah Fraser in Harare on
Friday, Msindo also challenged Chamisa to find ways of engaging with Mnangagwa
without resorting to violence.
Msindo’s Destiny for Africa Network funded the album
launch, as part of his campaign to promote peace and unity in the country.
“Chamisa committed political suicide when he refused to
accept President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s offer of being the official opposition
leader,” Msindo said.
“Chamisa should have embraced the position and force
Mnangagwa to compromise on electoral reforms ahead of 2023 polls. Chamisa
should have been pushing in Parliament for the reforms and we could not been
having these protests that are resulting in loss of lives.”
Msindo said Chamisa must consider the plight and suffering
of Zimbabweans regardless of political affiliation and peacefully engage with
Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa in January last year proposed to adopt the
Commonwealth system and establish the office of the official opposition leader.
Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said then government would
change the Constitution to create the office of official opposition leader in
Parliament should Chamisa accept the offer.
Government claimed Chamisa snubbed the offer, but the youthful
leader said although he would opt to fight Mnangagwa’s legitimacy, no formal
offer was advanced to him.
Msindo challenged Chamisa to first prove he was the best
leader by improving the situation in the opposition-run councils across the
country.
“Chamisa must learn from DA (Democratic Alliance) from
South Africa, they are managing Cape Town very well and they are using the
testimony to campaign for national leadership. Before Chamisa can take over as
president of the country, can he prove to the people he is the best option by
introducing innovative strategies to turn around urban centres,” Msindo said.
On Mnangagwa, Msindo said: “Mnangagwa should do away with
people who still have an old mentality and defeating policies on ease of doing
business. There is need for the President to surround himself and have people
in strategic positions, especially in parastatals who share his vision, not
saboteurs.
He added: “We have heard investors come and as soon as they
step out of Mnangagwa’s office, they meet an anti-prosperity culture. Things
should change. We have heard of deals that the President is signing; there can
be a swift implementation of the deals.”
The MDC has been rolling out protests against the
deteriorating economic situation in the country. Newsday
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