Zanu PF sees no membership gain from MDC split

Zanu PF sees no membership gain from MDC split

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By Lebo Nkatazo

ZIMBABWE’S ruling Zanu PF has said the split in the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has not benefited it in terms of membership as it has seen its members defecting to the opposition under the period, an internal party report reveals.

The revelations are contained in a confidential report by the party's central committee shown to senior party leaders, including President Robert Mugabe, at the party's conference in Goromonzi last month.

"It is noteworthy that the split in the MDC did not benefit the ruling party in terms of membership inflows but only diluted the threat that a united MDC had hitherto caused. The split has resulted in a situation where the two factions spend a considerable time fighting each other," the central committee said in the report seen by New Zimbabwe.com Wednesday.

The report said Zanu PF had lost members to the MDC and United People’s Party particularly in Masvingo province.

The MDC split into two factions in October 2005 following policy differences among senior party leaders. Attempts at reconciliation have failed.

The opposition party, once seen as the biggest challenge to Robert Mugabe’s 27-year-rule is now seen as weak, with Morgan Tsvangirai and Arthur Mutambara both pushing for recognition as the legitimate leaders of the party.

The Zanu PF report added that disciplinary action would be taken against officials who had allegedly campaigned for the opposition, especially in Masvingo.

The report said: "The province advised that several Zanu PF members were crossing over to the UPP as the election campaign for Rural District Councils escalated and they promised to update their list..as it was increasing each time.”

Singled for disciplinary action in the report is former Masvingo governor Josiah Hungwe and Isaiah Shumba, both accused of campaigning for the opposition. Hungwe was accused of being the leader of the "Bhora Mudondo campaign."

The report concludes: "The split in the opposition threw the regime change agenda into disarray but it did not destroy it altogether. The split nonetheless, affords Zanu PF the opportunity restructure, rebrand and recast itself as the party of choice in Zimbabwe."

President Robert Mugabe is seen staying on in power for two more years beyond 2008 when his term expires after his party published proposals to synchronise the Presidential and Parliamentary elections due in 2010.

However, that plan is set to face stiff resistance from opposition MPs and other Zanu PF officials who are said to be running a ‘Stop Mugabe Campaign’. The plan is to recruit at least nine rebel MPs from the government benches to block a constitutional amendment that will allow Mugabe to extend his term.

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