MDC receives $8 billion from government

MDC receives $8 billion from government

• Mutambara 'not for turning'

• Mutambara set to be new MDC leader

• Tsvangirai fights for control of Parliament

• Tsvangirai seeks unlimited term as MDC leader

• MDC faction gains control of parliamentary party

• Kagoro: Tsvangirai, Sibanda must bury hatchet

• Trudy Stevenson: what really happened at October 12 meeting

• Alex Magaisa: MDC leaders dying of thirst as palm trees appear

• Mduduzi Mathuthu: Voters must demand better leadership

By Staff Reporter

THE government has handed over a cheque of Zim$8 billion to the opposition Movemenr for Democratic Change (MDC), its entitlement under the Political Parties (Finance) Act.

The MDC has split in recent months following a dispute over senate elections last November.

Party leader, Morgan Tsvangirai favoured a boycott of the elections but his senior colleagues, boosted by a vote of the party's national council, insisted on fielding candidates leading to an acrimonious split.

MDC secretary general, Welshman Ncube, who is a member of the faction opposed to Tsvangirai, received the cheque last week from Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa.

In an interview with New Zimbabwe.com Sunday, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga, recently chosen as parliamentary spokesman for Ncube's group, said the money would be used to finance the party's congress this coming weekend.

"We need close to $20 billion to host the party congress and this money will go towards that budget," she said.

She said sharing the money with Tsvangirai's group was out of question.

"They (Tsvangirai's group) are using Harvest House and we have not tried to muscle in and disturb their peace. They also have access to most of the party vehicles which they have not offered for sharing. It is in that vein that we have also not seen the need of sharing the $8 billion from government," said Misihairabwi, MP for Glen Norah.

The congress set for the weekend is expected to instal former University of Zimbabwe student leader, Arthur Mutambara, as leader.

Mutambara is set to pick former Zimbabwe Union of Democrats leader, Margaret Dongo and university lecturer Heneri Dzinotyiwei as his running mates. New Zimbabwe.com also understands that there are feverish attempts to lure Tendai Biti to the fold, said to be the "only reasonable guy from Tsvangirai's side" by one official.

Tsvangirai's group plans to hold its own congress later in March, but that may be of little consequence if Mutambara manages to rally MDC supporters behind him.

Dr Alex Magaisa, a political commentator said: "Mutambara's entry into Zimbabwean politics represents a new phase in the struggle. The MDC has so far been too closed -- not allowing participation at the highest level by Zimbabweans abroad.

"Mutambara's arrival suggests this may change and we are likely to see more and more people in the Diaspora seeking to play a role in the political transformation of Zimbabwe. It's not only Tsvangirai who would be scared of Mutambara at the moment, but President Mugabe too.

"Mutambara has a great track record and is respected at home and abroad."

Pedzisai Ruhanya, a political journalist said: "Mutambara's entry into the political arena will without doubt cause a lot of headaches in the MDC, especially for those who do not want to reform...whose claim to political legitimacy is the ability to say pasi nanhingi (down with so and so) or chinja maitiro (change your ways).

"Without doubt, Mutambara is a political force who can only be underrated by delusionary politicians. It is without doubt that any faction in the MDC that takes him will most likely emerge the strongest. I am told he is part of the pro-senate group and this will bring nightmares to the other faction.

"If that is the case, the pro-senate faction, by widening its choices and making leadership renewal, is likely to emerge as the legitimate group because besides Mutambara, I am also informed that the group has also invited quite a number of credible people and the usual tactics of labelling it pro-Zanu PF wont work."

New Zimbabwe.com readers also hailed Mutambara's entry into the Zimbabwean political fold.

"If Mutambara becomes President of the troubled MDC," said Golden Gadzirayi Nyambuya by e-mail, "I know for sure democracy is very close. I have never believed not even for a second that Tsvangirai is the man for the job. The man has a chronic paucity of leadership skills at the national level. However, I profoundly
appreciate the contributions he has made to Zimbabwe."

Msekiwa Makwanya, an opinion writer who first urged Mutambara to enter politics said: "Mutambara is not only a public leader, he is also close to the captains of industry in the region and has the gravitas to pull people in one direction.

"Margaret Dongo and Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga will re-unite again to give women a meaningful representation in politics."
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