People first is in, says Gumbo

via People first is in, says Gumbo – The Zimbabwean 9 July 2015

Zanu (PF) is headed for a big challenge as the camp led by Joice Mujuru has confirmed that a grand coalition will be formed once initial talks among political parties are finalised.

The spokesperson for the Mujuru camp, Rugare Gumbo, told The Zimbabwean that the coalition would “definitely succeed”. His statements follow a recent announcement by MDC-T leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, who said an “exciting movement” was in the pipeline.

Delivering his state of the nation address in Harare recently, Tsvangirai indicated that talks were underway to bring together various opposition political parties.

Differences

“There is significant consensus among political parties that this regime of Robert Mugabe must go. We must bring it down together and this is what you will see. The grand coalition is going to shake Zanu (PF) and People First is in,” said Gumbo.

Gumbo said the grand coalition would not be held back by the different ideological differences of the various opposition parties. “The issue of the parties’ backgrounds does not count for anything here. There is one common goal, and that is to remove (Robert) Mugabe and his autocratic government from power. That is what the majority of Zimbabweans want and we must combine forces in order to move to a democratic future,” he said.

He was ejected from Zanu (PF) ahead of the ruling party’s congress last year, when Mugabe and rivals accused him of being part of a group of insiders plotting to remove him from power.

He was the Zanu (PF) secretary for information and chief party spin-doctor and is the unofficial spokesperson of the Mujuru allies.

Other party stalwarts were later offloaded, including Mujuru, who was then Mugabe’s sole deputy, Ray Kaukonde, Didymus Mutasa and Nicholas Goche.

Several senior members and cabinet ministers were also expelled for aligning with Mujuru.

While Mujuru has largely been quiet since her expulsion, save for sporadic written statements and odd press interviews, Gumbo and Mutasa have publicly acknowledged their intention to rally Zimbabweans behind a formation now known as People First.

“We have been busy talking to everyone, among them Simba Makoni, Tendai Biti, MDC-T and Dumiso Dabengwa. As People First, we are strongly convinced that we are going in the right direction and our efforts will yield good results. The movement will be all-inclusive.

“What is important is for people not to be too ambitious. We need to get rid of our egos and self-centred interests. We mustn’t all be rushing to become the president, vice president or secretary general because power is not what we are seeking to achieve. People must come first,” said Gumbo.

Rethink

He urged the other political parties to seriously consider surrendering leadership positions to young people. “There is need for a rethink of our leadership attitudes if we are to succeed as reform seekers. The old guard must give way to young blood. Young people are the future of this country and their chance to help democratise Zimbabwe is now,” said Gumbo.

He said young politicians held new ideas and were better informed about the needs and interests of future generations and thus “can run this country more efficiently”.

He accused the present crop of politicians in Zanu (PF) of greed, saying the party leadership was power hungry. “All they are thinking of is to steal and get more power. They don’t have the interests of the people at heart and that is why the economy keeps getting worse,” said Gumbo.

Bad leadership

Tendai Biti’s Renewal Team which broke off from the Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC-T has reportedly agreed to form an alliance with the Mujuru camp. However, it is said to be against the inclusion of Tsvangirai, who it accuses of bad leadership.

Tsvangirai’s party recently caused the expulsion of 21 legislators from the Renewal Team, leading to by-elections in 14 of the constituencies they held. Zanu (PF) won all the 14 seats, increasing its tally in the legislature and making inroads into urban areas that used to be the preserve of the opposition.

Makoni and Dabengwa, both former Zanu (PF) heavyweights who split over Mugabe’s continued stay in power, could not be reached for comment but they have insisted on an inclusive coalition in the past.

Makoni is strongly connected to Mujuru and critics say joining hands with her formation would not be difficult.

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