MDC Parties: Reunification Trouble 'Mischievous'
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formation of Professor Welshman Ncube and the MDC Renewal are denying reports their reunification is in trouble because of a leadership fight.
WASHINGTON — Patently false and mischievous! That is how the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formation of Professor Welshman Ncube and the MDC Renewal are characterizing reports of their reunification running into trouble because of leadership wrangles. Quoting an unnamed source Monday, the newspaper said officials on both sides were at odds over the ideological foundation of the new party and its leadership. The two formations signed a reintegration accord in November, saying the merger will give them a better shot at unseating President Mugabe’s Zanu PF. But “the much-hyped union…has suffered a still-birth because of a leadership crisis,” the Herald said, setting off spirited rejoinders from both parties. “The reunification of the MDC and MDC Renewal is well on course, and no amount of mischief to insinuate the contrary will make this reality go away,” MDC Ncube spokesman Nhlanhla Dube shot back. “... an anonymous source is quoted as saying that Prof. Welshman Ncube is a tribalist. We would like to request from the Herald an explanation of where and when the MDC President has ever displayed tribal tendencies. “Since they had the audacity to print such trash, we hope they have the evidence to back it up. The Herald should not judge everyone by its poor standards,” Dube said in a statement. He explained the reunification process saying there were specific stages and timelines to be followed. “Between 1st April 2015 and 30th April 2015 there shall be a policy conference to deal with policy issues for the party and come up with the relevant policy pronouncements or positions. "The united party shall then hold its congress in line with the agreed constitutional frame work by August 2015.” Dube said. MDC Renewal spokesman Jacob Mafume also chimed in, calling the Herald report a “fabrication.”