The conference, which ended on Tuesday, was a feedback forum on the draft constitution. The MDC formation led by Welshman Ncube boycotted the first day in protest over the presence of Mutambara, the former leader who was ousted at a party congress in early 2011.
Sources told The Zimbabwean that the Parliamentary Select Committee in charge of the constitution-making process, COPAC, placed Mutambara on the programme without consulting Ncube’s party.
“The agreed programme did not have Mutambara on the list of speakers. However, at the last minute, a new programme was handed to delegates with the person who would give the vote of thanks indicated as TBA (To be announced).
“When MDC-N (Ncube’s faction) queried that, (Paul) Mangwana—Zanu (PF) Co-chair in COPAC—and (Douglas) Mwonzora—MDC-T Co-chair—indicated that the slot would be taken by Mutambara. MDC-N felt ambushed and cheated, hence the decision to boycott the conference,” said the source.
The inclusion of Mutambara, he added, came at the behest of President Robert Mugabe, who insisted that the DPM should take the position of principal ahead of Ncube. At the conference, Mugabe introduced Mutambara as one of the principals – thus violating the Southern African Development Community resolution made in Maputo recently that replaced Mutambara with Ncube as a principal in the unity government. Tsvangirai reportedly gave the nod to the changes to the programme, but that did not go down well with Biti—whose body language at the summit showed his disappointment as he protested that the MDC was playing into Mugabe’s hands by violating the SADC resolution.
Through their Secretary-General, Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga, MDC-N protested formally to Tsvangirai, but, the source said, the MDC-T President wrote a note saying, “We cannot let one man (Ncube) derail this process, so he can boycott if he wants to”.
At that stage, Biti pointed out to Tsvangirai that snubbing MDC-N would not be good for future political process since MDC-T still needed the support of Ncube and his party in parliament for purposes of majority decisions.
“Tsvangirai responded by saying that, by writing the note, he had assumed Ncube was not serious and would back down and attend the first day of the conference. Biti is bitter over that and I think he is right because, whatever Tsvangirai might think, he is being used by Bob (Mugabe),” added the source.
Initially, another source said, MDC-N decided to boycott the whole conference, but Jacob Zuma, the SADC point man to resolving the Zimbabwean crisis, advised Ncube to attend the second day as failing to do so would put the whole constitution-making process in jeopardy.
“Zuma told Ncube that it would harm his intervention in the Zimbabwean conflict resolution process because it posed the real danger of a stalemate being declared, possibly to the advantage of Zanu (PF) and Mugabe as they do not want a new constitution before elections,” said the source.
Ncube confirmed complaining to Zuma and heeding his advice for a partial boycott.
“I am particularly disappointed with Tsvangirai. He seems to be overwhelmed by Mugabe, but then he should know who will get the last laugh if he gets too comfortable with that old man,” Ncube told The Zimbabwean.
He accused Mugabe and Tsvangirai of being uncomfortable with him and finding solace in “using” Mutambara to frustrate him.
“Mugabe at one time, when we talked after Mutambara was removed from our party, told me it was not acceptable to demote him from the position of DPM to a mere minister, saying that was unAfrican. He has a soft spot for Mutambara, but that is not fair,” said Ncube.
Mwonzora said his party respected Ncube as the new principal, but insisted it was not necessary for him to boycott proceedings on Monday.
“Ncube might have gotten the mistaken impression that Mutambara was coming in as a principal, but the truth is that he was invited only to give a vote of thanks. We respect the Maputo deal,” he said.
Ncube, however, queried why Joice Mujuru or Thokozani Khupe or even himself were not given the responsibility of giving the vote of thanks.
Mutambara refused to comment when contacted.
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Ncube doesnt know what he wants. First he created his monster Mutambara. Should Tsvangison eliminate this monster for him. DEFINITELY NO. He shld destroy it for himself. After all is it that he wanted the whole process to be stalled because of that. NGAAENDE KUNOZVIUNGANIDZA.
This is the problem with opposition in Zimbabwe most of them do not have the foresight to see beyond their own egos. They have self-centred agendas that do not consider the future of the country beyond their own little political careers. These so called “leaders” need to grow up and behave like leaders and lead the nation forward not backwards.