Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T has been criticised by pro-democracy campaigners for seemingly calling for the postponement of the 2023 elections.
On Sunday, MDC-T national chairperson Morgen Komichi told NewsDay that they prefer dialogue with President Emmerson Mnangagwa rather than holding elections without electoral reforms.
Rights groups have castigated the MDC-T’s proposal, describing it as illegal and a gross violation of citizens’ rights.
Ibhetshu LikaZulu secretary-general Mbuso Fuzwayo said the MDC-T is not sincere about electoral reforms as it is silent on the issue in Parliament. Said Fuzwayo:
They have been in Parliament and yet they are not doing anything about electoral reforms. Why do they now want to disenfranchise voters?
Komichi is not sincere about reforms as he has failed to raise the issue in Parliament.
In 2023, we must vote for those whom we feel can go and represent us in Parliament and councils, and not for Komichi, whose party wants to continue in Parliament without the mandate of voters.
The MDC-T, if sincere, must mobilise citizens to vote ZANU PF out and take over State power to reform the country.
Human rights defender and political activist, Mthulisi Hanana said:
Stalling of elections is an MDC-T ploy to continue occupying the seats that they stole from the MDC Alliance. They know that with or without electoral reforms, they will not win any seats.
In any case, if they are genuine, let them give up the seats that they got without electoral reforms.
He challenged the MDC-T to also give the people alternatives of what would happen should elections be postponed.
ZAPU secretary for mobilisation and organisation Derek Katsenga said postponing elections without engaging voters is dangerous.
He also said if the MDC-T was not ready for elections, it did not mean that other opposition parties were not ready.
