Zanu PF MPs' UK trip causes storm

Zanu PF MPs' UK trip causes storm

WELSHMAN Ncube

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By Staff Reporter

TWO Zanu PF MPs' political careers were hanging by the proverbial gossammer thread this week after they ignored protests by hardliners within the party to meet British MPs in London.

The two - Charles Majange (Chivi South) and Daniel Ncube (Zhombe) - could face disciplinary action on their return, despite getting approval from President Robert Mugabe before they set off.

Ruling Zanu PF hardliners led by the powerful information minister Jonathan Moyo are said to have attempted to block the MPs' UK trip organised by the Parliamentarians for Global Action.

A Zanu PF insider said last night: "There are some who view this move as capitulation to the British demands for dialogue between Zanu PF and the MDC. The two MPs could have under-estimated this small, vociferous anti-British, and anti-talks brigade."

The source added that the same anti-talks lobby had caused the downfall of Makonde MP Kindness Paradza who had his seat taken away from him after a "private" trip to the UK. He was accused of soliciting for finance from the British government for his newspaper, the Tribune, which has since been banned.

Two MDC MPs, Professor Welshman Ncube (Bulawayo North) and Priscilla Misihairabwi (Glen Norah) are also on the trip and will be holding meetings with their UK counterparts.

A source close to the meetings said the agenda was "conflict resolution", and breaking the political divide to bring Zanu PF and MDC law makers closer together. The mediator is Ghanaian opposition leader Alban Bagbin.

In a statement presented at the meeting in London Thursday, Majange urged talks between Zanu PF and MDC - something which Moyo and a vociferous league of hardliners have rejected.

“Until recently, the nation’s hopes were pinned on a secret dialogue between two persons-Patrick Chinamasa, the leader of the House, and the secretary-general of the MDC, Welshman Ncube," Majange said.

“The nation has not been informed about the reasons for the lack of progress in those talks and as we meet in London, risking our political careers, the public press is full of disdain for those who believe that dialogue leads to the ultimate resolution of all problems."

Majange also called for constitutional reforms, yet another hot patato in Zanu PF/MDC relations.

“I believe that the difference between the constitution which was rejected in the 2000 referendum and the one advocated for by the NCA, for example is less than 10 clauses and that difference can be negotiated in less than an hour if the political will is there,” he said.

“Even if we fight for 27 years like the Angolans, the negotiating table will be waiting. Why not use it now? Crushing the opposition and talking tough is not a long term solution."

Last night, he told New Zimbabwe.com he stood by his statements. He had no fear for his political career, he said.
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