By Christopher Makaza
Tired of MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa’s leadership, activists from various Civic Society Organisations (CSOs) and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have resolved to form an alternative movement to replace the struggling MDC Alliance.
The decision to form a third force was reached at a private meeting held at SAPES Trust on 25 September which was attended by, among others, SAPES Trust Director Ibotson 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 National Youth Assembly Chair Obert Sithole and MDC Youth Assembly Secretary General Gift Ostallos Siziba.
Addressing the meeting, Dr Mandaza said the opposition family had no leader in Nelson Chamisa adding that there was need to find a third force to provide a new leadership.
The group accused Chamisa of being a dictator who does not take advice from his colleagues. They also accused the youthful leader of failing to have a tribal balance in the party.
Chamisa is always being accused of imposing leaders from Masvingo particulary from Gutu, situation political analysts term Gutuism.
The activists also questioned Chamisa`s relationship with the Mugabe family and the G40 cabal. He has been accused by party elders of giving former G40 members influential positions in the party, the likes of Shadreck Mashayamombe, Jeppy Jaboon among others at the expense of long serving members who have been loyal to the party.
For a long time, Chamisa had a controversial relationship with the Mugabe’s Gushungo Holdings where his transport business was given tenders.
Sources within the opposition party allege that the Mugabe family actually sponsored Chamisa`s 2018 general election campaigns hoping that Chamisa would win the election and in turn protect their empire.
Masaraure said MDC was now a capitalist movement which no-longer champion the interests of the workers.
The activists also agreed that they must consider Independent Norton legislator, Temba Mliswa as Secretary General of the new party whose name will be revealed in due course.
Earlier in the week, Bomba indicated at a National Citizen Convention meeting held in the capital that there was need for another people`s movement.
Political analyst Tendai Tsungare said the intended third force was likely to capitalise on the various Residents Associations which Citizens Manifesto works with across the country.
“Resident Associations command huge followings and the majority of their members are disgruntled by the manner in which urban councils particularly those under the MDC watch are being run. Also, given that the people pushing for another people`s party are youths, the MDC Alliance is going to be negatively affected.”
