Political Reporter
Zimbabwe’s opposition parties are contemplating boycotting next year’s elections in fear of being humiliated by the ruling ZANU PF party.
A source who spoke to this publication said that little known People's Unity Party (PUP) leader; Herbert Chamuka held a meeting in Makoni last Monday and said that 2023 polls should be postponed.
“Chamuka addressed his party members in Makoni on Monday and said that as PUP, they were pushing for a Government of National Unity (GNU) instead of holding elections. Chamuka said that all political parties must come together and choose competent men and women among themselves who can push the country’s development agenda. He further said that it was impossible for opposition parties to defeat ZANU PF and that the only option was to form a GNU with the ruling party,” said the source.
The source added that the PUP leader said that he held several discussions with some opposition leaders in the country and there was a general consensus that no single party has the capacity to dethrone ZANU PF.
Meanwhile, the Front for the Economic Emancipation in Zimbabwe (FEEZ) leader, Godfrey Tsenengamu said that his party would not contest the presidential elections but would contest other elections.
“Imagine that Chamisa with the backing of seven political parties was humiliated by (President) Mnangagwa in 2018, what more humiliation would FEEZ suffer at the hands of ZANU PF. We will not contest the presidential elections but we will contest other elections in areas that we think we might do well. However, as FEEZ, we would want a situation where political leaders sit down and agree to form a Government that would comprise of competent people from all political parties, civil society and technocrats,” said Tsenengamu.
Tsenengamu added that it would also be good for the country if elections are shelved and the Political Actors Dialogue (POLAD) can be elevated to a GNU. He added that room should be created for political parties that are currently not in POLAD to join the same.
Meanwhile, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa has hinted that his party might boycott the 2023 elections due to various reasons.
However, analysts said that Chamisa was afraid of a second humiliation at the hands of President Mnangagwa hence his hesitancy to contest the forthcoming elections.
