The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party – which
ironically is itself hopelessly divided – said former finance minister Simba
Makoni’s decision to stand against Mugabe would split and damage ZANU PF
ahead of general and presidential elections in March.ZANU PF politburo member Makoni on Tuesday announced he would stand against
Mugabe in next month’s election, in the biggest rebellion against the
Zimbabwean leader in decades.Hinting at more upheavals in Mugabe’s ZANU PF, Makoni said he was working
with like-minded people from the party whose names he would disclose at a
more opportune time.Neslon Chamisa, spokesman of the larger faction of the MDC led by Morgan
Tsvangirai said: “What we are seeing is a split in ZANU PF and we have said
it before that any weakening or limping of ZANU PF is good music for all
democratic forces in Zimbabwe.”The chickens are coming home to roost. This has to be seen as a ZANU PF
rebellion which should crystalise the momentum for democratic change in this
country.”Zimbabwe holds local government, parliamentary and presidential elections on
March 29.Mugabe, in power since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, appeared to have
effectively smothered internal resistance to his continued stay in power
when he got ZANU PF to endorse him as candidate for president – that was
until Makoni’s open rebellion on Tuesday.Gabriel Chaibva, spokesman of the Arthur Mutambara-led MDC camp, also
welcomed Makoni’s move. “We welcome any Zimbabwean committed to fighting the
dictatorship of Mugabe. Zimbabweans strive to see our country rising again,”
he said.Both MDC officials were non-committal when asked whether their respective
parties were prepared to accept Makoni – a widely respected diplomat and
business technocrat – as a candidate for a united opposition front.Makoni yesterday said he was standing as an independent candidate and did
not represent the opposition.There was no immediate response from ZANU PF to Makoni’s decision to break ranks with the party.
Post published in: News