NORTON’s newly-elected independent legislator, Temba Mliswa, has thrown his weight behind opposition MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, to lead the proposed grand coalition of opposition forces, saying Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) leader, Joice Mujuru, was unfit to steward the project, because she had a history of betraying her own.
Source: Mujuru unfit to lead coalition: Mliswa – NewsDay Zimbabwe October 25, 2016
BY NUNURAI JENA
Mliswa, who romped to victory after thumping Zanu PF’s Ronald Chindedza in a by-election held at the weekend, described Tsvangirai as a “tried and tested brand”, adding Mujuru was yet to show her mettle in the political numbers’ game.
“Mujuru cannot lead the coalition simply because she has no following like Tsvangirai. But more importantly, she has a history of betraying her own and has no spine to protect her supporters. Mujuru has no following, she was never voted at Zanu PF congresses, but handpicked by President Robert Mugabe. Don’t count the votes she is said to have garnered as MP because those are Zanu PF votes which will not help us come 2018,” he said.
The former Hurungwe West Zanu PF legislator thanked the MDC-T and Tendai Biti’s People’s Democratic Party for backing him in the Norton by-election, but warned Tsvangirai not to allow Mujuru to lead the envisaged coalition “because that will chase away people”.
But, ZimPF spokesperson, Jealousy Mawarire scoffed at Mliswa’s remarks.
“Mliswa should know and realise that the people who voted for him are people who belong to other political parties. That is the reason why Mliswa roped in (ZimPF founding member) Didymus Mutasa and MDC-T vice-president, Nelson Chamisa, to campaign for him,” Mawarire said.
“He (Mliswa) must also understand that a coalition is for political parties, not individuals.”
Mujuru and Tsvangirai have both staked claims to lead the envisaged coalition.
COMMENTS
Its too early to fight for post in coalition just draft stratagem to defeat old man first
Temba is very right on this aspect of Tsvangirai leading the opposition. Tsvangirai is battle hardened and has beaten Mugabe so many times, had it not been for rigging, whereas Mujuru is just coming from a comfortable corner. She will just bring liberation credentials as second/ third in Command to Tsvangirai, because lets not also forget Dumiso Dabengwa, when his party joins the coalition. It is crystal clear that this post is for Tsvangirai, hate him or love him, he is the best candidate. Enemies are waiting for this chance, for the opposition not to name Tsvangirai, so that they field a weak candidate whom they can easily defeat. Can you not understand why Zanu Pf is fielding a nonagenarian, because they know it will be dangerous for them to field a weak clueless Mnangagwa or Grace.
None of them, Mujuru, Tsvangirayi, Biti, or Mliswa should lead the coalition. These politicians are all the same. Mujuru & Mliswa are just thugs from Zanu PF trying to pretend that all of a sudden they care about Zimbabweans, just because Bob & Grace got rid of them. Tsvangirayi & Biti sold us out when they shared power with Zanu PF & used as Mugabe puppets to bring in the US dollar so they could pilfer more, these two were offered the benz & the house & Zanu PF were given a new lease of life. None of these so called seasoned politicians are up for real change, they are all in it for themselves. We have to look to the activist groups who want real change like Tajamuka/Sesjikile, WOZA & real activists like Patson Dzamara, Linda Masarira. Time to think about the futur for young Zimbabweans.