MDC deputy secretary-general Moses Mzila-Ndlovu has accused MDC-T and Zanu PF of merely using leaders from Matabeleland for “window dressing” while perpetuating the marginalisation of the region.
Report by Dumisani Sibanda
Addressing hundreds of people who attended an early Christmas party organised by Gwanda Central legislator Patrick Dube at Ntepe business centre, Ndlovu described Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe as “two faces on one coin” when it comes to dealing with people from Matabeleland.
“Before the split of the MDC, there was talk that there was now a problem because the party had too many Ndebeles, but how can you talk like that about people who voted for you?” he asked. “Now, instead of talking about solutions to problems people in the region are facing, Tsvangirai chooses to call (Welshman) Ncube (MDC president) a village politician.”
Ndlovu, who is also Minister in the Organ for National Healing, Reconciliation and Integration, said a look at Zanu PF and MDC-T would show that they did not have respect for leaders from Matabeleland.
“Ask yourself why there was no negotiator from Matabeleland in Zanu PF and MDC-T and in the leadership of Copac they had no one from Matabeleland. It’s because no one from Matabeleland is trusted to negotiate on constitutional matters. So, if you are Ndebele, what do you want in those two parties (Zanu PF and MDC-T)?” He said the same mentality was the one frustrating the process of his party’s leader, Ncube, from “taking his rightful place as a GPA principal”.
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Asked to comment on the allegations, MDC-T deputy national spokesman Gabbuza Joel Gabbuza accused Ndlovu of being “unnecessarily emotional”.
“People must look at things nationally. When you say those things you sound even more and more of a village politician. Leaders must be national in outlook. Of course, we respect his (Ndlovu’s) views and he is entitled to them, but I don’t think they are accurate.”
Zanu PF national spokesman Rugare Gumbo scoffed at the allegations.
“What do you expect from MDC?” asked Gumbo. “They have nothing to offer. Their policy is just to criticise Zanu PF. There is nothing of substance you can get from MDC.”