Radio Dialogue Giving you a voice
The Welshman Ncube led MDC and Zapu have distanced themselves from the coalition Alliance Khumbul’ Ekhaya citing a regional bias as the main agenda of the alliance.
Patriotic Union of Matebeleland (PUMA) president Bancinyane Ndiweni last week criticised the two parties for letting down the local electorate by snubbing the alliance. MDC president Welshman Ncube recently dismissed reports that they are in a coalition with other political parties.
MDC Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Edwin Ndlovu speaking to Radio Dialogue said while the party is aware of the alliance nothing has been agreed on.
“People of Matebeleland argue over minor and small issues, at the end of the day they lose focus and direction, Zanu PF members practice tribalism but they don’t speak about it,” Ndlovu said.
“My leader is Professor Welshman Ncube, he is a the leader of Matabeleland or Midlands, he is the leader of Zimbabwe. Why should I reduce my leader to a regional or provincial leader?”
Ndlovu said the party has never sent any representatives to the Alliance Khumbul’ Ekhaya meetings.
Zapu spokesperson Bensen Dube says the alliance is regional whereas Zapu is a national political party that is eyeing seats all over the country.
“While we are fighting for our region, we must also look at the country so that we may realise that we are part and parcel of a nation, today we are looking at this country as a state because of such divisions perpetrated by people who look at their own corners and disregard other places around the country,” Dube said.
“Zapu is to do with the nation because when you dwell on Matabeleland as Mthwakazi you are actually reneging on what Zanu PF already blundered.”
Alliance Khumbule Ekhaya is coalition which brings together political parties and civic society organisations expected to fight Zanu PF and MDC T in the next election. The alliance initiated by Mthwakazi Youth Leaders Joint Resolution is made up of Zapu FP, Mthwakazi National Party, PUMA, ZPRA veterans, Umhlahlo weSizwe sikaMthwakazi among others.
Bheki Mdlongwa (PUMA) spokesperson says it is important for local politicians to address regional issues before going national.
“Charity begins at home, master your problems at home, be a good family man then you can tell be able to tell your neighbours how to be good fathers,” Mdlongwa said.
