Hon Douglas Mwonzora, who was once termed the “Legitimate President of the Movement for Democratic Change” (MDC-T)by Professor Lovemore Madhuku, was this week rumoured to have joined POLAD. POLAD, a dialogue platform created by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, was in July 2018, rejected by MDC saying that it was not a true dialogue platform.
The claim of POLAD not being a true dialogue platform seemed to be confirmed when in January of 2019, the government went ahead to gazette a controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill, which had not taken into consideration POLAD member’s proposals regarding constitutional changes.
If the allegation of joining POLAD is true, it begs the question, why then would a leader of an opposition party choose to be a part of such a dialogue platform after some resistance?
Well, in the vote of thanks speech Hon Douglas Mwonzora gave during the launch of the second vaccination program in Victoria Falls, stated that “politics of divisive vancour are a thing of the past” He suggested that the political outlook had changed from “political self-aggrandisement” to putting the nation first. He continued to share the following sentiments:
“We don’t want politics of hunger, hate and intolerance. As leaders of the opposition we should work for the betterment of the economy to save our people and also support the vaccination programme.”
Watch a snippet of the Honorable’s speech below:
Mwonzora’s move has been viewed as affirmation of suspicions that the MDC-T has been fraternising with the ruling party in and attempt to wipe out the main opposition party led by Nelson Chamisa.
Some have pointed to that this move could be the same strategy of political survival described by the late President Robert Mugabe as the “Madhuku Strategy.” The only difference in this case would be that instead of the opposition causing havoc in the ruling party as was described by the late ex-President, it is viewed as the ruling party’s attempt at disarming the opposition Party since the 2023 elections are fast approaching.
Watch as the Late President describes the “Madhuku Strategy” below:
Fadzayi Mahere, spokesperson for MDC-A led by Nelson Chamisa had the following sentiments to share regarding this move:
“We will take all necessary steps to stop the attempt by Zanu PF and its surrogates who usurped the will of the people to create a one-party State. The regime must respect the democratic and constitutional rights of the citizens to challenge its policies and offer alternatives for the betterment of the nation,”
However, amidst claims that Mwonzora is being used as a puppet by the ruling party and has joined POLAD, he shared the following sentiment:
“It’s a national event where people unite to fight the pandemic. We have nothing to do with Polad. This is not a Polad event”
What are your thoughts on these opinions?
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