MDC Slams Call For Traditional Leaders To Campaign For Zanu (PF)

Harare, December 15, 2013 – The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has condemned in strongest terms, the statements attributed to Sithembiso Nyoni that traditional leaders must stop the MDC activities in Nkayi North.

“I urge all headmen to work with Zanu (PF), you should make sure villagers in your areas  support Zanu PF,” Nyoni was quoted at a Nkayi rally last Saturday. “You should make sure the MDCs do not make any inroads. I know there are some people who will say ‘do not get  involved in politics’. President Mugabe gave you powers and you should use those powers to work with Zanu (PF).”

“The MDC finds these statements very irresponsible and bound to incite violence and intimidation against those that are opposed to Zanu (PF),” said the party’s national spokesperson, Nhlanhla Dube.

“These irresponsible utterances betray a party that holds traditional leaders in absolute contempt and show the level of moral decay within Zanu (PF) that still wants to use traditional leaders to prop up their failing bid to buttress the dwindling political support throughout the country.

“These statements are a reminder of the failed Rhodesian system of governance that turned the traditional leaders into spies of the regime,” he said.

Dube said the MDC was convinced that the quest for a just and a fair Zimbabwe had  reached a point of no return and Zanu (PF) would not succeed where Smith failed.

He added that traditional leaders should not be abused for personal political gain.

“We will within the ambit of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) challenge Nyoni’s statements which fly in the face of and are a violation of the GPA to which her party is a signatory.