Time up for MDC Alliance

By Christopher Makaza

 

…..as CSOs plans to create a new monster ahead of 2023 election 

The beleaguered Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance`s expiry date is slowly drawing closer as its partners in crime, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civic Society Organisations (CSOs), workers unions and some MDC family members have lost hope in the country`s oldest surviving opposition party.

Activists from various CSOs and MDC have reportedly resolved to form an alternative movement to replace the struggling MDC Alliance whose leadership they say has failed to win the hearts of the electorate and proffer solutions to the current economic challenges bedevilling the nation.

Despite MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa`s assertions that his party is the people`s party, capable of delivering the people of Zimbabwe from the current economic challenges to the promised land of Canaan, he has dismally failed to prove that he is the true biblical Joshua.

Chamisa`s followers and his handlers are now fed up of his continued claims of popularity despite the opposition party`s recent string of by-election loses to Zanu PF hence the idea to form a new party with fresh, mature and constructive minds.

The decision of forming new political, which some are already terming a third force, was reached at a private meeting held at SAPES Trust in Harare’s Belgravia suburb on 25 September which was attended by, among others SAPES Trust Director Ibbotson Mandaza, UHAI African Group founder and Executive Director Brian Kagoro and Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe ARTUZ leader Obert Masaraure.

Also present were Citizen Manifesto Convenor John Briggs Bomba Zano, Zinasu former Secretary General Tinashe Lucas Chirenda, MDC Alliance National Youth Assembly Chair Obey Sithole and MDC Youth Assembly Secretary General Gift “Ostalos” Siziba.

It seems Chamisa has totally forgotten his mandate is leading and transforming MDC into a better political party which is appealing to the electorate. He is focusing more on fighting the legitimacy of President Emmerson Mnangagwa and seems not to be worried about his party’s continued electoral losses to ZANU PF in by-elections.

Chamisa is fast becoming very unpopular within his party and is being accused of being a dictator who does not take advice from his colleagues but only enjoys and capitalises on praises such Chamisa Chete Chete (Only Chamisa is our leader).

Chamisa is also irking his former backers by failing to maintain tribal balance in the party leadership, imposing leaders from Masvingo particularly from his home area of Gutu, a situation disgruntled party members have termed Gutuism.

Chamisa`s relationship with the Mugabe family and the G40 cabal has also raised a lot of un-answered questions within MDC. He has been accused by party elders of giving former G40 members like Shadreck Mashayamombe, Japi Jaboon among others influential positions in the party at the expense of long serving members who have been loyal to the party. Many in the opposition party are also displeased that the Mugabe family actually sponsored Chamisa`s 2018 general election campaigns hoping that Chamisa would win the election and in turn protect their business empire.

MDC has always been capitalising on economic sanctions that have crippled the economy and demonstrations to remain relevant without contributing any fruitful and constructive ideas which benefit the nation.

Due to lack of sound and meaningful strategy the party now largely depends on futile protests. Fortunately Zimbabweans are no longer interested participating in these demonstrations which always result in the destruction of property and loss of innocent lives.

The MDC has over the years distinguished itself as an organisation which majors in the minor. Only yesterday MDC legislators exposed their political immaturity when they walked out of the Parliament building as President Emmerson Mnangagwa was about to give his State Of the Nation Address (SONA) in a bid to embarrass him. Their behaviour was highly criticised by citizens who described it as backward and retrogressive.

Chamisa and the entire MDC family are now a capitalist movement which has since ceased championing the interests of workers as the party’s leadership now prioritises self-enriching programmes such as grabbing land in urban local authorities.

No wonder its fellow bedmates are feeling hard done and want a new opposition political party that has something different to offer.