We will vote for a ZANU PF Speaker-Welshman Ncube
The Secretary General of a small faction of the MDC, Welshman Ncube has implied that his faction will likely vote for a ZANU PF parliamentary speaker and said the coalition agreement signed with the Tsvangirai led MDC is no longer valid.
Speaking to a reporter in South Africa Ncube said the MDC parliamentary coalition formed was for the run-off and nothing more.
‘…We cannot and we will not annex our votes to anyone. What was done by the leadership of the MDC . . . was to back MDC-T in the run-off. But the run-off was terminated prematurely when ZANU PF unleashed violence on the people. As things stand now, each of the MDC parties are independent of each other. Anyone who wants to work with any other will have to approach the other and have a deal. As of now, there is no deal with anyone.
‘The discussions which took place between the two elections were founded on the fact that Morgan had won the 29 March election and would win the 27 June elections. That did not happen and therefore what was agreed then does not constitute a coalition.’Ncube said.
Ncube did not explain how and why the coalition was called a parliamentary coalition when it had nothing to do with parliament.
The new revelations by Ncube differ sharply with what was expressed on Tuesday April 29 2008 by the faction leader Arthur Mutambara who said,
“We are all going to work together in case Robert Mugabe and Zanu-PF try to sabotage the will of the people. We are in control of parliament. We are also controlling the senate. This is the state of affairs in our country.”
Mutambara further dismissed that the coalition was for the runoff only telling reporters,
“The question about a runoff doesn’t arise,” he said.’ I’m here to show solidarity to the winner of the presidential election in Zimbabwe.”
Tsvangirai has already expressed concern at the sudden change of tone by the faction and doubted its reliability as a coalition partner.
“I thought we were all playing in the same court . . . But it would appear that that is not the case. They (the Mutambara faction) have other views. And I think we need to revisit the coalition agreement and ask them whether we are still together…”he said.
Metro reported two months ago that Welshman Ncube resisted the coalition and instructed all MPs not join MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai when he visits their constituencies during the run-off campaign.
Metro also established during its investigations that the factions’s national executive had argued that their faction should not have fielded candidates in Gwanda South, Redcliff and Pelandaba-Mpopoma by-elections against those of the MDC-Tsvangirai, because at least it was their candidates that had died. Ncube reportedly over ruled the decision.
Ncube also reportedly read the riot act to his faction MPs who attended the MDC caucus addressed by Tsvangirai on May 30 this year.
A rift has reportedly emerged in the faction among the unelected National Executive and its 10 MP,last month the executive fired the MP for Nkayi South, Abednico Bhebhe as spokesman after he argued that the faction’s executive was making decisions that are betrayal to its electorate.
Metro also has it on good authority that the faction has reportedly struck a deal with the Mnagangwa faction of ZANU PF. The Mnangagwa faction whose influential members include Emmerson Mnangagwa,George Charamba and Patrick Chinamasa has been trying to sabotage talks with the MDC since they started.
The development comes as the United States is considering taking the same measures against the faction members they have taken against ZANU PF.
The first move might include revoking the faction leader Arthur Mutambara’s US permanent residence.
The United states government’s Acting Deputy Spokesman Gonzalo R. Gallegos, hinted on the development in a press briefing earlier during the week,
‘We’re going to continue to watch. We’re going to continue to see what happens there. Ultimately, as I’ve said before, from here, what we want to see is that the will of the Zimbabwean people is reflected in the results of this or any talks that may take place to come to a resolution to this situation,and if anyone aids the subverting of the people’s will even if they are not from ZANU PF will face the same measures we have taken against ZANU-PF.’ said Gallegos.
The entire Mutambara MDC National Executive Council lost in the March parliamentary election and it is comprised of Arthur Mutambara,President lost Zengeza West, Gibson Sibanda,Vice President lost Nkulumane,Welshman Ncube Secretary General lost in Makokoba, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga Deputy Secretary General lost Glen Norah,Miriam Mushayi Deputy Treasurer General lost Harare West,Jobert Mudzumwe,National Chairperson lost Masvingo Urban,Fletcher Dulini- Ncube Treasurer-General lost Lobengula-Magwegwe.
Posted by Special Investigations Unit
on August 21, 2008. Filed under Local News.
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