Ncube plays down MDC chances as polls open

Ncube plays down MDC chances as polls open

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By Lebo Nkatazo

ZIMBABWEANS were voting in a poll for a new 66-seat Senate Saturday.

The poll has already been won by the ruling Zanu PF after divisions within the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) limited the party to only 26 candidates, mainly in the south-western region of Matabeleland.

MDC secretary general Welshman Ncube was playing down chances of a strong showing by his party's 26 candidates who stood in defiance of party leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who opposes participation in the elections.

"We have campaigned and done all we could, it's now up to the voters," Ncube said.

"There has obviously been a campaign by Tsvangirai and his group to either intimidate MDC supporters from voting or create confusion. But we are hopeful. If we can get 11 seats then we would have had a fair crack at it."

Ncube and several other senior party leaders are at odds with Tsvangirai, as they believe failing to contest for the Senate seats would allow Zanu PF to make headway in previously safe MDC seats. Tsvangirai's group say the Senate is a waste of money which should be better spent on health and education.

Mugabe's ruling Zanu PF this year used its parliamentary majority to create the new 66-seat body, which will approve or reject bills passed by the lower house of parliament.

The Senate has 50 contested seats. Eight traditional chiefs will be seconded to the house, joined by the governors of Bulawayo and Harare. President Robert Mugabe will appoint six other senate members.

The MDC candidates registered in the party strongholds of Matabeleland North (5), Matabeleland South (5), Bulawayo (5), Masvingo (2), Harare Central (3), Mashonaland West (3) and Midlands (3).

Critics say the Senate will give the 81-year-old Mugabe another tool to cement his control over Zimbabwe, which he has ruled uninterrupted since independence in 1980 despite deepening political and economic crises.

They see the new Senate as part of Mugabe's politics of patronage, rewarding associates by absorbing them into state institutions and stifling challenges from within his own ranks.
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