Opposition party People’s Unity Party (PUP) has petitioned President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stop the 2023 elections and enter into negotiations for government of national unity.
PUP leader Herbert Chamuka said he has appointed top brass in his party to deliver a letter detailing the party’s reasons for bidding for the postponement of the elections.
“The country have been having elections since 1980 and nothing has come out the elections. As a party we have reached a consensus that elections are divisive and we are for government of national unity. The letters will be delivered to Mnangagwa offices and Zanu PF headquarters,” he said.
Following the 2018 disputed elections, the country has witnessed an orgy of political violence with opposition supporters being harassed, maimed or killed.
The economy has also been on a downward spiral with the country’s inflation now ranked the highest in the world.
Citizens Coalition for Change vice president Tendai Biti said the political and economic crisis the country is facing is symptoms of an unresolved national question which can only be solved through national dialogue.
“People have suffered enough, people are being killed and our supporters are being arrested and there is poverty. There is only one way of resolving all these and its through dialogue. Unfortunately, Zanu PF is not interested,” Biti said.
Biti said national dialogue should be inclusive.
“Zimbabwe is not just about Zanu PF and CCC, Zimbabwe is about everyone. Cooking oil is now beyond the reach of many and the exchange rate is spiralling out of control. This affects everyone whether you are Zanu PF or not Zanu PF. Things cannot go on as they are, we should find lasting solutions because people are suffering,” Biti said.
Zanu PF has maintained that if CCC wants to be part of the dialogue it should join the Political Actors Dialogue (Polad).
Polad was set up by Mnangagwa after the disputed 2018 elections and is made up of losing presidential candidates from obscure opposition political parties.
“President Emmerson Mnangagwa has indicated that the door is always open for them to join Polad not this grandstanding. The platform is there and if they are serious, they are welcome,” Zanu PF information director Tafadzwa Mugwadi said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has turned to Political Actors Dialogue (Polad) members to help him arrest the economic turmoil characterised by sky-rocketing prices of goods and services.
