admin
Gwanda Correspondent
MDC leader, Professor Welshman Ncube yesterday admitted that elections are now unavoidable given that the proclaimed election date of 31 July is around the corner despite delaying tactics by his party and MDC-T through the courts and Sadc. Addressing his party’s Gwanda central district assembly in Gwanda town yesterday, Prof Ncube said there was no longer any time to waste and party members should mobilise for the elections.
“We have now started counting down for the elections which are highly likely not to be postponed. Going to court is now a waste of time. The time is upon us as elections are irreversible since we are now in July and we will be coming back to Gwanda for a star rally,” said Prof Ncube.
He expressed confidence that his party would go it alone in the anticipated election.
Prof Ncube dispelled notions that his party had intentions of forming the so-called grand coalition with the MDC-T. Media reports have been suggesting that MDC was engaged in talks with MDC-T and other so-called “progressive forces” to unseat Zanu-PF.
“We are hearing lots of noise in the media of claims linking my party to the so-called grand coalition. I suppose the coalition is a figment of imagination of media practitioners and members of MDC-T as we have never been approached over the issue.
“It defies logic that they even continue to harp about the grand coalition even after the sitting of the nomination court,” said Prof Ncube.
MDC-T leader, Mr Morgan Tsvangirai has all along been pushing for a grand coalition upon realising that his party alone cannot defeat President Mugabe and Zanu-PF.
“Each man for himself and God for us all. Why now? Tsvangirai coalesced with President Mugabe to deny me my right as Deputy Prime Minister yet he wants to unite with me to unseat (President) Mugabe, never! It’s not possible,” said Prof Ncube.
Meanwhile, the MDC faction led by Professor Welshman Ncube has said it will welcome former members who defected together with Professor Arthur Mutambara, if they decide to seek re-admission.
This comes after the former Mutambara loyalists passed a vote of no confidence in him last week. They said they had resolved not to recognise the robotics professor as their president and announced his ouster.
The grouping also demanded Prof Mutambara to unconditionally withdraw the court case he mounted against Prof Ncube, over the presidency of the faction. They also hinted they could align themselves with Prof Ncube; two years after the Prof Ncube led them out after he lost the contested party presidency.
MDC spokesperson, Mr Nhlanhla Dube said the party would not seek retribution against the group.
“If they want to come back we will obviously welcome them with the firm belief that there has been a realisation that the party is greater than individuals. Unity among members is the answer to polls. As a party we have processes and procedures. Naturally, the party’s code of conduct should be followed. Anyway we hold no grief to treat them ill, no negativity towards any former member wishing to rejoin. Gladly we will accept them as comrades and colleagues. Bygones will be bygones from that minute if when they decide,” he said.
Commenting on Mavambo/Kusile/Dawn leader, Dr Simba Makoni’s move to back MDC–T, when in 2008 MDC supported him for the presidency; Mr Dube said his party had matured and has its own presidential candidate now.
He said despite Dr Makoni joining forces with MDC-T, the move meant nothing as MDC had a fair chance of victory just like any other political party.
He said this 2013 election was fresh election.
Online Reporter