Morgan Tsvangirai
TellZim Reporter
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) supporters in Bikita have warned their party leader Morgan Tsvangirai against having a joint rally with the Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) leader, Joice Mujuru, saying they were not yet prepared to campaign for former Zanu PF members who used to unleash violence on them during the previous elections.
A recent survey by this publication revealed that it would be self-defeating for Tsvangirai or MDC-T to officially support the ZimPF candidate; Kudakwashe Gopo.
The MDC-T supporters who spoke mainly on condition of anonymity said they would attend the ZimPF rally if Tsvangirai decides to come but vowed never to vote for Gopo.
“Look we even attended Zanu PF rallies because we do not want to be labelled but at the end of the day we know who to vote for. We are not daft…how can we gladly vote for Makova and his party when he was the one who used to frustrate us since 2000.
“We shall never support them in Bikita West. All what we will be doing is to attend all their rallies but on 21 January, we either vote for independent candidate or boycott the election,” said an MDCT-T district executive member who refused to be named.
Currently, the district chairman is campaigning for independent candidate Innocent Muzvimbiri while the rest of the executive have remained stuck with their former MP Heya Shoko whom they said was a better devil.
“Our chairman is being influenced by Zaka Sanator Misheck Marava to support Muzvimbiri but we are saying Marava must not come and impose decisions here. The rest of the executive is supporting Heya Shoko because we know him better. We used to be beaten, tortured and maimed by Zanu PF and Shoko was always with us …Shoko understands MDC-T more than all others who are in the race so we shall stand by him,” said one executive member.
However, Gopo is bubbling with confidence saying with or without MDC-T support, he will win the election next week.
“I am waiting to go to parliament. The people here know that Gopo is the MP. I was in Zanu PF so I know all their tricks; they will never cheat or rig in this election because I know the game.
“They wanted to bus people from Gutu to register in some bordering wards but I blocked that move … even the police was shocked by my alertness and I told them that I was fully aware of any dirty trick which could be employed and I will frustrate every effort to rig the election,” said Gopo.
However, MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said he was not in a position to comment over the issue since Tsvangirai was ‘personally handling the issue.’
“President Morgan Tsvangirai is personally handling all matters relating to coalition discussions. He is an extremely efficient grassroots mobiliser but you should appreciate that he has got a very busy schedule. We are very confident that as part of his coalition deliberations, he will soon be in a position to announce whether or not his tight schedule permits him to travel to Bikita West for a joint rally with Dr. Joice Mujuru,” said Gutu.news
