adminMpumelelo Nyoni Chronicle Reporter
THE MDC and MDC Renewal Team have resolved to hold a joint congress next year as the two factions work towards reuniting.
MDC Renewal Team spokesperson Jacob Mafume yesterday confirmed the development which he said was agreed to during a joint national executive meeting the two opposition factions held recently.
Although party officials did not say when the joint congress would be held, sources said it has tentatively been set for June next year.
“Yes, we did have a joint national executive meeting on October 31. We’ve signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and had several good faith meetings. The joint congress next year will be launched according to the agreement from the MoU,” said Mafume.
MDC Renewal team Bulawayo provincial chairman Kucaca Phulu said the move was meant to merge the two camps and other progressive forces into a “big strong political movement”.
Phulu said the MDC Renewal Team conducted a restructuring exercise in Bulawayo province as part of efforts to unite with other opposition parties in preparation for the 2018 general elections.
“MDC-Team Renewal, Bulawayo province, have re-assigned their provincial members in pursuit of the April 26 Mandel resolution, which among other issues calls for an early congress and working together with other progressive forces and approach 2018 national elections as a big strong political movement,” said Phulu.
He said they held a Provincial Executive Committee in Bulawayo on Sunday where it was resolved to restructure the provincial membership.
Phulu retained the provincial chairmanship while his deputy, Edwin Ndlovu, was moved to provincial secretary for information and publicity with Michael Gora replacing Ndlovu.
Desire Moyo is now the provincial secretary for elections, taking over from Reggie Moyo who is now the national deputy organising secretary.
Professor Philani Moyo is the new secretary for research and policy.
Meanwhile, the MDC national leadership, led by Professor Welshman Ncube says it has embarked on a nationwide outreach to meet, consult and update provincial structures on the negotiations towards re-unification with the MDC Renewal and other opposition parties.
“The programme is being rolled out throughout the provinces. The leadership has already met with Bulawayo, Chitungwiza and Harare provincial structures, which have expressed satisfaction with the briefings and urged the expeditious conclusion of the talks,” the party said in a statement yesterday.
It added that Prof Ncube had pointed out that the united MDCs would continue to actively engage with other opposition parties: Zapu, MKD and NCA, the Zimbabwean diaspora community, professionals, civil society and churches for the purposes of “forming a broader coalition of democrats.”
Online Reporter