FORMER Vice-President and Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) leader Joice Mujuru has reportedly shelved coalition talks with other opposition party leaders until her party has held its elective convention to choose a substantive executive.
Source: Mujuru slams brakes on coalition – NewsDay Zimbabwe October 31, 2016
BY RICHARD CHIDZA
Sources told NewsDay yesterday that the ZimPF interim leadership made the resolution soon after Mujuru returned from her United Kingdom tour, with fellow party founders, Rugare Gumbo and Didymus Mutasa threatening to dethrone her.
“It was a candid meeting in which Mujuru was told she has not done much to deserve being the party leader. There is growing discontent with her and a possible factional fight that pits Mujuru against Gumbo. But they later agreed that the leadership issue must be subjected to the people and an elective convention is the best way forward. So, the issue of coalition talks is on ice for now,” a ZimPF source, who preferred anonymity, said.
ZimPF spokesperson, Jealousy Mawarire, however, denied reports his party had stopped coalition negotiations, but admitted that a substantive leadership elected at a congress will have the final say on the issue of a coalition.
“While it is only fair that the substantive leadership that will be elected at the convention does finalise and accents to whatever document that will consummate the coalition, the journey towards the coalition cannot be stalled because of our convention,” he said.
“The move towards a grand coalition is a process not an event, hence, our strong conviction that the process goes ahead even as we embark on other party programmes like preparations for our inaugural elective convention.”
Mujuru and MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai have agreed in principle to seal a coalition deal ahead of the 2018 electtions, although there is growing unease on who between them should lead the project.
Mutasa rejected reports of a rift between him, other senior leaders and Mujuru while addressing party supporters in Mt Darwin at the weekend.
“If anybody tells you there is a rift between Mutasa and Mujuru, do not listen to them. They are thirsty and need water. I was expelled from Zanu PF because I supported Mujuru. I will continue to support her,” he said.
Gumbo was not available for comment, as his mobile phone went unanswered.
As she moves to stem growing instability, Mujuru, according to another senior official, will this week announce a steering committee to lead her party’s push towards its inaugural elective convention, whose dates are yet to be announced.
COMMENTS
Time to put personalities to the back of the stove and bring the NEEDS of the people who you want to vote for you to the front.
ONCE you are elected as a coalition you can decide on leadership through support at the voting station.
IE if Zimpf gets more votes then they become President if they get 2nd they become Vice or Prime minster.
BUT WIN THE ELECTION FIRST CHANGE THE GOVT GET RID OF THE ROT, THEN DECIDE THE LEADERS BY MERIT AT THE BALLOT BOX.
My humble opinion is that all the current leadership should only be a bridge that takes us from the abyss we find ourselves in to the promised land we all crave for. Like Moses, they should not lead us into Canaan, but should ensure Canaan is in sight and that going back is impossible. What Zim needs is a new beginning of inclusive development and participatory democracy that allows all its citizens to play a meaningful role in the affairs of the state. We need to bring out those leaders who have been pushed into hiding, we need to unleash the power of our entrepreneurs who have been robbed by corruption, we need to release the energy of our youths who hover dangerously on moral decadency and we need to reap from the wisdom of the old who have been forced to suffer in silence. We need to give hope again, hope that one can make it in life through honest work, belief that all are equal before the law and that the most competent are rewarded for their efforts. It is not government positions that matter, it is how the system and its institutions work that is crucial.
Exactly well put. Win the election then decide on the position best suited to the country not your desires.
we all desire to be rich but can only achieve this by HARD work, honesty and the assistance of our fellow zimbabweans, we will never get there alone and seeking total POWER.
THINK AGAIN OPPOSITION then you may win.
finally if you are not on the ballot paper dont complain about not winning.