Biti, Ncube unity at advanced stage

Representatives of both National Executive Councils last week met to agree a roadmap towards unity. Jacob Mafume, the Renewal Team spokesperson, said his party was taking the draft agreement to its grassroots for further input.

“We want to commence building the blocks for a grand coalition with the shared values and principles of the MDC which include tolerance, the rule of law, peace, democracy, gender equality and a servant leadership,” he said.

The two breakaways last month officially signed a draft MoU. Sekai Holland, the Renewal Team’s interim leader, said the re-unification process was important if the MDC was to reclaim its valued and recognised principles.

“Some of us did not leave the MDC but we regrouped because we wanted to ensure that the same principles and values that had been devalued are kept in sight,” she said.

Ncube said his party was engaging the Renewal Team after realising the importance of unity of purpose in the opposition parties’ quest to emerge victorious in the next elections.

“It is not about change for the sake of change. We need to change the ethos, values and principles that guide us as political parties,” he said. “We have so much in common in terms of our history, values and principles.” He also revealed that the two parties would work on a broader coalition, aiming to include Mavambo Kusile Dawn, the National Constitution Assembly and ZAPU among other political parties.

“Both processes will continue in tandem, but the idea is to bring all Zimbabwean democrats who share the same values and principles to put our minds together so that we find common solutions to the problems that face our nation,” said Ncube.

In a related development, the Renewal Team’s National Council condemned the recentd MDC- T congress, describing the party’s president, Morgan Tsvangirai as a “power crazed dictator” bent on centralising power.

“He is now the chief custodian of the party’s name, its assets, its finances, its administration, and everything else. The principle of separation of powers within the various organs of the party has been decimated as Tsvangirai has made himself an ‘emperor’ with unquestionable authority,” reported the Renewal Team.

The group likened Tsvangirai’s actions to President Robert Mugabe’s abolition of the post of Secretary General in 1981 to create the post of President and First Secretary of his party.

“Through this centralisation of power Mugabe has become a ‘king’ whose powers are unchecked both in the party and in the Republic,” it said.

The MDC Renewal Team called on all democrats to return to the party’s founding principles and values, revealing that the splinter group was set to hold a ‘genuine congress’ in March 2015.