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Whatever differences or preferences, we might have had as Zimbabweans, this was not the platform to express such wild, antagonistic and disruptive tendencies.
Prof Ncube and his followers must of necessity self-introspect and look at themselves in the mirror in shame. The wayward behaviour they exhibited was uncalled for. It did not benefit anybody. This was a platform at which Zimbabweans were supposed to show oneness both in spirit and deed.
In fact, their political theatrics at the conference has exposed them for what they really are, a bunch of political Lilliputians who have thoroughly engrossed themselves in confusion to the extent that they are no longer able to distinguish foes from friends, neither are they able to keep within the zonal boundaries of their fight with Prof Mutambara.
It is a shame that instead of giving the 2nd all stakeholders conference the last and final chance it so badly needed, Prof Ncube saw it fit to arrogantly and hastily organise a press conference at which he accused both President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai of violating the Maputo SADC resolution on a number of previous occasions, presumably by allowing Prof Mutambara to attend the Principals meetings.
In typical arm-twisting approach, a trade mark of MDC-N’s tactics, designed in this instance to force the Executive to accede to his demands, Prof Ncube extended the frontiers of the war zone beyond Prof Mutambara to now include both President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai.
His contention that the Maputo resolution recognised him, as a Principal needs further interrogation and qualification particularly when it is interpreted in such a manner that renders it manifestly distorted and contaminated.
While I acknowledge and note the resolution, I do not agree with the interpretation ascribed to it by Prof Ncube. It is patently false and malicious for Prof Ncube to attempt to give the impression that the resolution prohibits Prof Mutambara from engaging in political activities of any nature including participation in a national project such as writing the national Constitution, particularly when he does so as the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
I have no doubt in my mind that the blatant and false interpretation by Prof Ncube was simply meant to humiliate and quarantine Prof Mutambara into political oblivion thereby clearing the political stage for himself (Prof Ncube). It is no secret that the man is scared of competition particularly one, that involves Prof Mutambara.
Prof Ncube’s further assertion that Prof Mutambara should not have been allowed to address the delegates on the grounds that he represents no constituency is baseless.
On the contrary, Prof Mutambara has a constituency and the biggest one for that matter, and that constituency is called Zimbabwe and consists of people from all walks of life.
Anyone who watched the proceedings at the conference would have noticed the enthusiasm and excitement exhibited by the delegates during Prof Mutambara’s address. There is no better way to show that Prof Mutambara was not communicating with strangers, but to contemporaries, brothers and sisters who share common interests and concerns with him than on this occasion.
He was conversing with sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who committed themselves to spending the entire period of the conference sharing and exchanging views on how best they could contribute to the national document called the constitution in order to safeguard the interests of all Zimbabweans instead of engaging in senseless and acrimonious outbursts in pursuit of self-glorification.
It is not too late to advise Prof Ncube not to disabuse himself of the belief that his dislike of Prof Mutambara is necessarily shared by all.
It is equally inconceivable that, a whole President of a party, decided to abscond from a shared national platform at which he had the opportunity to showcase his party, but chose not to, purely on the grounds that his opponent had been allowed to share the same platform with him.
I am mindful of the fact that it is the democratic right of MDC-N members to protest in any way they deem appropriate including walk outs, but they should be prepared to walk until the soles of their shoes are worn out.
Prof Ncube’s unsolicited remarks to the effect that someone else should have spoken instead of Prof Mutambara is absurd, particularly when it comes from someone who understands the roles, functions and responsibilities of the Executive. The Executive decides for itself on who to assign to speak, at what fora, when, and how not him (Prof Ncube) or Sadc.
His revelation at the conference that he has taken the matter up with Sadc clearly shows how desperate the man has become. What does he expect Sadc to do? To direct the Executive on how they should conduct national programmes? This is a totally misplaced expectation, which will cause him more embarrassment and frustration.
We have always stated that this is a matter, which is purely internal and has nothing to do with Sadc. We recognise the regional bloc and South African President Jacob Zuma’s efforts as mediator in the challenges bedeviling our nation but we do not recognise him as mediator in the MDC-M intra party dispute. Sadc has no business of meddling in the internal affairs of our party.
For the record, both parties to the MDC-M dispute have agreed to one and only one mediator, and that is, the Zimbabwean courts. Until the Supreme Court has made a final ruling on the matter, we will continue to claim our voice in the affairs of MDC-M. We will resist any attempts to muzzle us particularly when there is clear evidence of collusion and undercover manoeuvres designed to short change us by making decisions on the basis of information obtained from one side of the dispute, such as what happened when President Zuma refused to give Prof Mutambara the chance to give his own side of the story, preferring instead, to base his decision on Prof Ncube’s submissions.
This resulted in the Sadc leaders’ neutrality and objectivity in dealing with this matter being compromised.
I must hasten at this juncture to also refute claims from some quarters that say President Mugabe is sticking to Prof Mutambara in the dispute. The President has not stuck to Prof Mutambara and has no reason to do so but he has every reason to stick to the law.
Finally, it is important for Prof Ncube and others who share similar views like him to take note of the fact that Prof Mutambara is a factor in the Zimbabwean politics and will remain so for a very long time to come.
The sooner they realise this, the better for them.
Online Reporter