Former Finance Minister Tendai Biti took the reins of a new party, the People’s Democratic Party, which is composed of former Movement for Democratic Change members who broke away from Morgan Tsvangirai when Tsvangirai refused to entertain a leadership renewal following the party’s dismal performance in the 2013 elections.
Biti, who was the secretary-general of the MDC-T, was elected president of the new party with Samuel Sipepa Nkomo deputising him.
Biti said he keen to join hands with former Vice-President Joice Mujuru but would never work again with Tsvangirai.
Tsvangirai is also keen to work with Mujuru, who was expelled from the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and announced her manifesto.
Mujuru has, however, not formally announced the launching of a new party. Though she mentioned People First in her manifesto she signed it on behalf of The People of Zimbabwe and not People First.
Biti’s party line up is as follows:
- President – Tendai Biti
- Deputy – Samuel Sipepa Nkomo
- Chair – Lucia Matibenga
- Deputy – Watchy Sibanda
- Secretary General – Gorden Moyo
- Deputy – Tongai Matutu
- Treasurer General – Benison Ntini
- Deputy – Julius Magarangoma
- Organising Secretary – Solomon Madzore
- Spokesperson – Jacob Mafume
- Deputy – George Mkwananzi
- Elections – Settlement Chikwinya
- International Relations – Willias Madzimure
- Recruitment – Gift Mabhena
- Policy and Research – Last Maengahama
- Youth- Moses Manyengavana
- Women’s League- Evelyn Masaiti.
Committee members were:
- Wilstaf Stemere
- Paul Madzore
- Jefferyson Chitando
- Lungile Ncube
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