Mzembi tells Chamisa to stop making diva demands

Former Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Walter Mzembi has called on the opposition to drop some of its conditions if they are to secure grounds for fair play in 2023.

Electoral reforms in Zimbabwe can only happen if the ruling party Zanu PF and the main opposition the MDC Alliance engage in dialogue.

However, both Zanu PF and the MDC Alliance have put conditions they want to be met before they can meet each other.

Zanu PF on its part, is digging in on the stance that dialogue can only happen through POLAD.

The ruling party also want the Nelson Chamisa led party to acknowledge that it won the elections and that it should also denounce the sanctions alleged to have been imposed on the country.

On its part, the opposition MDC Alliance, wants President Emmerson Mnangagwa to accept that he lost the 2018 Presidential election to Chamisa.

MDC Alliance also wants exclusive dialogue that will not allow other smaller parties to join, among many others.

These conditions have prevented Nelson Chamisa and President Emmerson Mnangagwa from meeting directly.

Writing on his Twitter handle, Mzembi applauded the work that is being done by the church. He said the church should not tire in trying to bring the two to a negotiating table.

Mzembi also advised the opposition to drop some of its demands and secure a dialogue.

‘’The church still has a productive role to play in nudging the protagonists towards each other, don’t tire Rev Kenneth Mtata and others.

‘’But the opposition may have to drop some ’irrelevant demands’ whilst securing ground for fair play. Going into 2023 without this makasi (it’s a gamble),’’ he said.

The former minister also took the opportunity to warn the opposition that in 2023 they are likely to have limited access to rural areas.

‘’By the way, by 2023 even the limited access you have now to rural areas will be no more and we all know that electoral contest happens in urban areas, but elections are won in rural areas,’’ he said.

The MDC Alliance leader has experienced some challenges during his countrywide meet-the-people tours.

Chamisa alleges that his vehicles were stoned in Masvingo and Manicaland.

The same incidences were also reported in Mashonaland West. However, according to Patrick Chinamasa who is the acting political commissar in Zanu PF, the violence is happening because the opposition leader is forcing people to listen to him and attend his meetings.

Mzembi tells Chamisa to stop making diva demands