By Political Reporter
Today in history marks the birth of the opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
The party come close to power after it’s late founding father, the late Morgan Tsvangirayi beat the then president Robert Mugabe (late) in the 2008 elections.
Twists and turns, have characterised the country’s biggest opposition in Zimbabwe .
A record of breakaways with the first being in 2005 by the then secretary general, Welshman Ncube. The breakaway however did not have any impact.
In 2008 the party smelt power only to be denied power preceding an acrimonious period that saw hundreds of its supporters maimed , tortured and some killed.
The events of 2008 gave birth to the global political agreement which saw Tsvangirayi becoming Zimbabwe’s prime minister. The global political agreement period of 2009 – 2013 gave some rays of hope as the economy resurrected tremendously.
The party in 2013 general election, lost dismally to the ruling Zanu PF party an election which triggered another split the following year.
The unfortunate death of Tsvangirayi in 2018 saw bitter power struggles that saw Nelson Chamisa taking the hearts of many over his rival
Thokozani Khupe. The 2018 presidential election saw the party faring very well with analysts crediting this to Chamisa .
In his address, to mark the party 21st anniversary Chamisa said although they have travelled a tattered road the events of 2020 where the majority of elected councilors and MPs were recalled after the supreme court resurrected 2014 structures.
“I am really disappointed with his level of selfishness & that Mwonzora has sunk so low.He is claiming to defend the legacy of the late MT by destroying what he built. You claim you want to defend his legacy when you do not even know the origins of Tsvangirai.”
He went on to chide Mwonzora as a jonny late comer to the opposition party.
“Mwonzora, we picked you from the wilderness, and now you want to be more MDC than us? Just because you are pursuing a petty agenda, an agenda which you are not even going to win?
“MDC supporters picked it long back Mwonzora was a sellout and they urged me to expel him from the party but I called for patience. I said let’s not expel him from the party, let’s give him a long rope to hang himself. Look where he is now?”
He went on to question the motive of some of his former ersthwhile leaders
“How can you defend the legacy of Morgan Tsvangirai when you do not want to be part of the MDC Alliance which he laid the foundation? ” said nelson chamisa
He went on to lament over the recalls of councilors and members of parliament by the Mwonzora and Khupe cabal
“Look at how much the unwarranted recalls by a bitter Mwonzora are now costing the taxpayers? Why do you want to condemn the whole country into a by-election?” Chamisa retorted .
The opposition MDC Alliance leader went on to say that Zimbabwe cannot continue to be in election mode and said the money that is now going to used for by-elections could have been used for other esential services
“What kind of a country is it that always stays in an election mode? Worse Mnangagwa is an accomplice who just says ‘let’s go for elections’ knowing very well that nurses and doctors need money, hospitals have no medication. Why not use that $18 million?” he said.
