Mudzuri calls on MDC leadership to avoid bruising split

“Secondly, MDC is an institution that is respected and as the largest opposition political party poised to replace ZANU- PF, we must respect our founding principles and values and also observe international best practices governing progressive democratic institutions.

“Thirdly, the Supreme Court is the highest court in the land outside constitutional issues and has made a landmark ruling in a case pitting the party against an ordinary member seeking redress on what he believed had been a denial of his democratic right to elect a leader of his own choice. As a grassroots-based party, we respect feedback on our decisions from the ordinary members.

“Finally, I also acknowledge as pointed out in the judgment, that as a party, we did not get proper advice on certain constitutional processes that needed to be followed in choosing a successor to our late icon Dr Morgan Tsvangirai.”

Mudzuri’s sentiments are not likely to go down well with Chamisa’s supporters as he was already viewed as a sell-out when he went to State House with a Parliamentary delegation to present themselves to Mnangagwa.

He was confronted and publicly humiliated by Chamisa’s top lieutenants including Chalton Hwende who later rose to secretary-general of the party.

“I am aware that there have been expressions of opposing views, trading of nasty words, accusations and counter accusations, anger and frustrations, but I think we need to sober up, sit down together and face the reality of the judgment and its far-reaching implications to the well-being of the party,” Mudzuri told the Standard.

“The starting point is to accept that we erred in the manner in which we handled the succession and transformation matrixes of the party. We need to acknowledge that this succession wrangle threatens to tear the party apart. It creates the best opportunity for the leadership of the MDC to pause and avert a possible bruising split that will not benefit anyone except our opponents.

“We must get into the 2023 harmonised elections as a united family with one objective of taking over power from ZANU-PF so as to change the fortunes of Zimbabwe. We must not betray the people of Zimbabwe who in the more than two decades have invested so much into this project of change for a better Zimbabwe.”

Asked if he is going to contest for president if the party holds an extra-ordinary congress, Mudzuri said this will depend on the people.

“This is not about personalities or individual egos and ambitions. It is about doing what is right, correcting our mistakes and moving forward as a united family and confront our opponents. Leaders come from the people, they don’t self-appoint,” he said.

“If the people believe I have what it takes to move the party forward, I will gladly accept the noble responsibility. I will not, however, lead a divided party.”

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