MDC dismisses reports of fights in leadership, says Charamba statements reckless

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change today dismissed reports of fights within the party leadership as fake news and said a statement by George Charamba in which he called on the party leader Nelson Chamisa to own up to the Kgalema Motlanthe Commission was reckless.

The MDC said senior party officials – vice-president Welshman Ncube, vice-president Elias Mudzuri and secretary of defence and security, Giles Mutsekwa- did not release the statements that are being attributed to them both in the main and social media.

“The statements are fake news and a clear sign of desperation by those who have failed to proffer an alternative to the MDC’s Reclaiming Zimbabwe Agenda against a background of a legitimacy crisis,” the party said in a statement.

“In the midst of this crisis, the MDC is focused on strengthening the only credible alternative which is the people’s party.  We are clear on the pathway to legitimacy; the five point plan enunciated by President Chamisa offers the foundation. Factionalism is not part of the recipe.

“We assure the nation that the people’s party will remain united, strong and focused on the agenda to reclaim victory and transform the lives of the Zimbabwean people.”

Reports, some of which have been published in the privately owned press which is normally sympathetic to the MDC, say divisions are surfacing in the party following the decision by Chamisa to postpone the party congress from February to October.

Party secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora has also dismissed the reports about the divisions.

The MDC also said it was disturbed by a statement by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba who said Chamisa must go and testify before the Motlanthe Commission into the violence of 1 August instead of organising demonstrations.

Chamisa who has been holding “thank you” rallies across the nation said he is organising the “mother of all demonstrations” for the people to reclaim their vote.

The opposition leader who lost the 30 July elections has refused to accept defeat and insists that he won the elections.

Charamba said what Chamisa was essentially saying is that “your voting is useless, I have my own ways which is above the ballot and which is above the people. And if he thinks there is an irresponsible parent who throws jiggies to a child who is burning the village, sorry hake”.

Chamisa was subpoenaed to testify before the Motlanthe Commission but initially said he would only do so if Mnangagwa also testified, but he seems to have changed his mind according to the Daily News.

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