Movement for Democratic Change senatorial candidate David Coltart, a former Minister of Education in the inclusive government, has described today’s meeting between President Emmerson Mnangagwa and white voters as a publicity stunt.
He told British news agency Reuters; “I’m not surprised. You have to look at where this took place.”
The meeting was held at Borrowdale in Harare. Borrowdale is one of the poshest suburbs in the capital.
“There are some very wealthy whites there who have long established connections with ZANU. It’ll be the community who have business connections.”
Reuters said, however, many of the whites who attended the meeting saw Mnangagwa’s fig leaf as a major turning point.
“He’s recognising everyone as the same. We’re all one now, which is beautiful,” said mining engineer Cais Carstens. “This has never happened before, so it’s good.”
Zimbabwe is holding crucial elections in nine days and Mnangagwa is facing stiff challenge from 40-year old Nelson Chamisa of the Movement for Democratic Change Alliance.
Although polls show that he is leading Chamisa, the gap has been narrowing and Chamisa might overtake him before the poll.
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