By Staff Reporter
FORMER State Vice President and presidential hopeful Joice Mujuru is still keen on forging alliances with other opposition forces in attempts to outpoll the ruling Zanu PF party in this year’s elections, an official with her People’s Rainbow Coalition (PRC) has said.
Mujuru hits the campaign trail this weekend, starting with her home province of Mashonaland Central where she is also set to launch her election manifesto.
“We re-iterate our openness for further negotiations with all other progressive democrats towards strengthening our broader coalition to dismantle the Zanu PF regime and return Zimbabwe to the family of nations,” PRC publicity official Fortune Mlalazi said in a statement Wednesday.
Mlalazi is also spokesperson for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by former cabinet minister Lucia Matibenga. The PDP breakaway faction has since formed a loose merger with Mujuru’s National People’s Party (NPP) to become PRC.
Since joining the opposition ranks, there have been contradicting reports over Mujuru’s commitment to become a member of any opposition coalition vying to rule the country.
Lately, the former vice president was forced to deny media reports that she had finally swallowed her pride by pledging to join forces with the Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance.
But as she pursues attempts to become State leader, the veteran politician has also set an ambitious target of 50,000 polling agents she and allies are set to deploy during the harmonised elections.
“PRC will be commencing the training of 50 000 polling agents during the first week of June. These agents are drawn amongst loyal democratic Zimbabweans who are dedicated to defending the Zimbabwean Vote,” Mlalazi said.
Manifesto launch
He added: “The PRC will be launching its manifesto called the Inclusive Developmental Agenda (IDEA) from this Saturday in Dotito, Mashonaland Central.
“The Manifesto launches will then move to all the ten Administrative Provinces of Zimbabwe.
“We urge all Zimbabweans across the country to attend the Manifesto launches to get first-hand knowledge of the PRC Development Agenda.”
Mujuru will battle it out for the country’s most powerful job with incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zanu PF, Nelson Chamisa of MDC Alliance, Nkosana Moyo of APA and Elton Mangoma of CODE, among some presidential hopefuls.
Observers have placed her as a rank outsider in terms of landing the top price as President.
