(Last Updated on August 31, 2013 by Editor)
THE MDC-T has dismissed as mere “pub talk� media reports claiming party leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been approached by President Robert Mugabe to become his deputy.
“There is nothing like that; it’s just pub talk. Tsvangirai has not been approached by Zanu PF,� MDC-T national organising secretary Nelson Chamisa said in Gweru when asked about reports Mugabe had made an approach.
Speaking after the July 31 elections won by Mugabe and Zanu PF, Tsvangirai – who refused to accept the electoral shellacking his party suffered -Â claimed that Zanu PF Zanu PF had tried to talk to him.
“After stealing the vote, they don’t even know where to start,” the MDC-T leader said. “They are now asking, ‘Where is Tsvangirai, so that we can talk?’ Talk about what?”
Zanu PF spokesman, Rugare, Gumbo denied an approach was ever made, adding “if he (Tsvangirai) is saying that, it’s a lie and [that’s] ridiculous and mischievous”, Gumbo added.
Mugabe won another five-year term in office with 61% of the presidential ballot, against 34% for Tsvangirai who is demanding a re-run of the vote, alleging massive fraud.
Although western countries have backed the MDC-T leader’s claim that the vote was not credible, the African Union and the regional SADC grouping endorsed Mugabe’s re-election and called on the European Union and the US to lift sanctions against the country.
“Sadc is not Zimbabwe,� he said. “We do not need to be told by Sadc that the election was not fair. We do not need hope in Sadc. The only hope we have is within ourselves. This time Zimbabweans must speak for themselves.�
Although MDC-T legislators would represent their constituents in Parliament, the party – which formed a coalition with Mugabe after disputed elections in 2008 – has ruled any cooperation with a Zanu PF government.
On Thursday, Tsvangirai was in Gweru as part of a countrywide tour to meet the party’s provincial structures following last month’s electoral setback.