Movement for Democratic Change leader Nelson Chamisa has brushed off reports that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is planning to officially elevate him to opposition leader in Parliament with perks for the post.
“DON’T BE MISLED BY HEADLINES…There’s no offer from Mnangagwa & no dialogue or contact with him,” he tweeted.
“Our struggle is by & for YOU THE PEOPLE. Your WILL & wellbeing come first. My role in the struggle is not about perks, position, title or entitlement but to fight for you.#Godisinit.”
Chamisa’s reaction could be part of the political posturing he has adopted since losing the 30 July elections which he insists he won because Mnangagwa never said he was offering Chamisa, specifically, any perks.
The offer which everyone is now talking about was made on Bloomberg Television in New York on Friday.
Mnangagwa told Bloomberg: “Under our Commonwealth parliamentary democracy, the opposition is recognised, you recognise the leader of the opposition in Parliament.
“Under the former administration, there was no formal recognition of the opposition leader, but now under my administration, we are embracing the Commonwealth approach to parliamentary democracy, where you recognise the leader of the opposition and he is given certain recognition and perks in Parliament.”
Currently Zimbabwe is not a member of the Commonwealth.
Chamisa is not a Member of Parliament as he contested for president.
The leader of the opposition in Parliament is currently MDC chairperson Thabitha Khumalo.
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