News of the South HARARE – MDC Alliance leader Advocate Nelson Chamisa wasa set to preside over the party’s national standing committee which is set to discuss the deployment of its parliamentarians to various committees of the legislature on the basis of their competences and assumptions are that they would also discuss President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s reported offer to create an official opposition position for him in Parliament.
The President, guided by the Commonwealth values made the announcement while in the US where he is attending the UN General Assembly.
Sources within the MDC said the issue has slowly become a topic of conversation within the opposition leader’s inner circle.
“We have what is normally a routine national standing committee meeting tomorrow (today) and top of the agenda is Mnangagwa’s reported offer. It will be discussed to see what are its pros and cons. There are informal discussions within the party’s ranks, but most people think it’s a good idea that could keep the party and its leadership relevant for the next five years,” said a source.
Chamisa regarded this gesture as an offer “that does not exist” and said he is more worried about the welfare of ordinary Zimbabweans.
Party spokesperson Jacob Mafume confirmed the meeting but dismissed claims it had been called to discuss Mnangagwa’s offer to Chamisa.
“We only know that Mnangagwa had an interview in the US where he indicated that he has an intention of introducing a Commonwealth parliamentary system that recognises an official opposition,” Mafume said.
He added that there has been no engagement between the MDC and Zanu PF besides the letter they wrote before elections requesting for a meeting.
“He (Mnangagwa) responded by saying there were too many opposition leaders and would only engage after the election. We have not heard from him ever since,” added Mafume.
He said the national standing committee meets every Wednesday to discuss issues in the party as its management arm and they are going to look at the issue of the MDC anniversary suspended two weeks ago over the cholera outbreak.
Mafume also said they will receive feedback from leaders who have been visiting provinces consulting MDC members on how they can handle post-election party affairs.
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