At a summit held in Mozambique in August last year, SADC leaders refused to endorse Arthur Mutambara as a principal in the tripartite government after he was booted out as MDC leader at the party’s congress in 2011.
The SADC leaders contended that Mutambara no longer represented any political party in the Inclusive Government and could not be regarded as a principal.
Holding on to Mutambara
SADC insisted that Mutambara did not sign the GPA in his personal capacity but as leader of the MDC and his ejection from the party meant that he should pave way for Ncube as a principal in the GNU.
However, President Robert Mugabe, despite the SADC recommendations, has continued to hold on to Mutambara and seems to be receiving the support of MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
Ncube’s role in the constitution making process was largely limited and at times, there were reports of him being locked out of State House and only joining Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara after the trio had made decisions.
Recently, Ncube castigated the appointment of Jacob Mudenda to the post of Chairperson of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission. Ncube said Mugabe and Tsvangirai jumped the gun by appointing Mudenda without consulting him.
From the look of things, Ncube is fighting a losing cause with analysts expressing scepticism on whether he will be able to win his battle and eventually be recognised as a principal.
With the principals in the GNU currently preoccupied with the referendum on a draft constitution and elections scheduled for this year, it seems Ncube’s cause has been trivialised.
Political analyst, Eldred Masunungure, said Mugabe seemed uncomfortable with bringing Ncube in thereby limiting the MDC-N President’s chances of winning his fight.
“SADC recognises Ncube as a principal but the Inclusive Government excludes him from key decisions. I think he is fighting a lonely battle and is unlikely to win,” said Masunungure. “The weakness of Ncube’s argument is that the principal’s meetings are not documented. In a way, it is an unofficial gathering to discuss strategic discussions outside Cabinet. Cabinet is the recognised institution but the meetings are not recognised in any legal framework.”
Nothing will change
Another political analyst, Charity Manyeruke, said Ncube’s argument to be recognised as a principal was weak in the sense that he was not a signatory to the Global Political Agreement which gave birth to Zimbabwe’s tripartite government.
“However, it is his democratic right to fight for what he thinks is rightfully his but I think he is just whiling up time and nothing is going to change,” said Manyeruke.
Political analyst, Alexander Rusero, said that in as much as Ncube was justified in fighting for his cause, the chances of him succeeding were limited due to a seemingly deliberate attempt by President Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara to exclude him.
“In principle, Welshman Ncube must be recognised as a principal but sadly, Zimbabwean politics is marred by dubious people who politick even when it is not necessary. There is hypocrisy on the part of Mugabe, Tsvangirai and Mutambara in failing to recognise Ncube as a principal.”
Big brother
The deputy spokesperson of the MDC, Kurauone Chihwayi, said: “Mugabe and Tsvangirai have a big brother attitude hence their continued exclusion of Welshman Ncube in key decision making processes. They are trying to portray us as an illegitimate party but they actually know that the GNU is a three-legged pot.
“Welshman Ncube actually has ministers in the government but we are surprised Mugabe and Tsvangirai, knowing that, continue to sideline him. They are politically and legally wrong. What we are realising is that this is no longer a legal game but a political game. We will not lose focus.”
Post published in: Analysis