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14 August 2008
By Never Kadungure
Officials from the breakaway Mutambara MDC faction were locked in intense meetings the whole day Wednesday amid speculation the party was on the verge of disintergrating after its leader Arthur Mutambara unilaterally entered a deal with Mugabe to share power.
On Tuesday evening Tsvangirai stormed out of a meeting with Mbeki, Mugabe and Mutambara following a refusal by the Zanu PF leader to give up executive power. With the state owned Herald newspaper confirming a deal was later struck with Mutambara, the move created chaos within the faction.
Nehanda Radio understands Mutambara was offered a third Vice Presidential spot to add to current Vice Presidents Joyce Mujuru and Joseph Msika. Other officials from the party like Welshman Ncube, Priscilla Misihairambwi, Gibson Sibanda and others who lost elections were offered influential posts under the set up.
However 7 of the 10 MP's in the party threatened to resign if Mutambara formed a government with Mugabe. Edward Tshotsho Mkhosi the MP for Mangwe told journalists, 'No I will not watch history being repeated,we have seen ZANU PF’s strategy of divide and rule in the past and this time it will not work, not this time.'
Abednico Bhebhe the MP for Nkayi South also made his position clear, 'If this has happened I don’t agree. This will be disastrous. None of us will go with him. He would be committing political suicide.' Senior official Trudy Stevenson seemed to warn Mutambara in a statement Wednesday that the National Council of the party would not endorse such a position.
Only 3 MP's are said to support Mutambara's position but whichever way the tide goes, Zimbabweans made their voice emphatic, telling the faction it risked becoming irrelevant if it proceeded with the marriage.
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