Source: Church calls for reconciliation in MDC – DailyNews Live
Jeffrey Muvundusi 14 February 2018
BULAWAYO – The head of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has urged
MDC leaders to set aside their differences and put national interest ahead
of their individual interest.
This comes after the party’s three vice presidents Thokozani Khupe, Elias
Mudzuri and Nelson Chamisa have been engaged in a zero-sum game to upstage
each other in the battle to control the main opposition in the country.
This has been fuelled by a leadership vacuum left by party president
Morgan Tsvangirai who is currently admitted at a South African private
hospital where he is battling cancer of the colon.
“We urgently call upon you to be reconciled to one another since the
existence of a united and viable opposition is a necessary condition for
thriving of a society organised on the basis of a democratic multi-party
system,” ZCC president Israel Mukuwanda said in a statement yesterday.
“As we continue to promote a peaceful, just, democratic and inclusive
environment that allows for prosperity for all citizens, especially on the
eve of an important election, the internal health of key democratic
institutions such as opposition parties is of great importance to the
nation,” he said.
The ZCC is one of the few institutions in Zimbabwe to enjoy broad
credibility. Formed in 1964, the ZCC brings together churches and
Christian organisations for joint action, witness and coordination,
particularly to adopt a united and common response to the political and
socio-economic challenges facing Zimbabwe.
Its bishops have frequently spoken out against human rights abuses and
poor governance and electoral theft.
Mukuwanda prayed for peace in the party, and said the feud was a test of
their ability to differ in peace.
“The current leadership crisis in the MDC can, in fact, be an opportunity
to demonstrate values of peaceful coexistence and shared leadership in
which leaders collaborate on a win-win basis rather than aiming for
individual success above the rest,” Mukuwanda said.
COMMENTS