With elections barely 18 months away, Binga people have added their voice to the calls for a coalition of opposition parties to increase chances of defeating Zanu PF in the 2018 plebiscite, the Tsvangirai led Movement for Democratic Change has claimed.
The Party’s spokesperson, Obert Gutu said that people from Binga have hailed opposition parties, with the hope that they may bring change to their underdeveloped area.
“The Tonga community welcomed the idea of an alliance of opposition parties and the creation of a common front in 2018, saying it gave them hope that this time around, Zanu PF would be consigned to the dustbins of history.
“President Morgan Tsvangirai today met opinion leaders in Binga, Matabeleland North province where the community here expressed concern over their underdeveloped area, among other concerns. They gave thumbs up to the proposed alliance of opposition parties, expressing hope that the new government will deal with the interests and concerns of ethnic minorities such as the Tonga people,” said Gutu in a statement.
He added, “They had grievances over lack of proper schools and hospitals, blaming President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF of pursuing exclusive policies that sidelined other people and groups.
“The community leaders had issues with the stringent fishery regulations that failed to take into account the fact that their lives revolve around fishing in the Zambezi. They said they had hope in the 2018 election and that the coalition of opposition parties would overthrow the Zanu PF culture of exclusion.”
Tsvangirai visited Binga in Matebeleland North on Tuesday during his national programme that will see him tour the country’s 10 provinces to meet and interact with the people as 2018 elections draw closer.
Gutu said Tsvangirai promised Binga people that his new government will usher in a new governance culture in full compliance with the constitution.
“President Tsvangirai assured the Tonga community that the new government would take seriously their concerns and usher in a new governance culture in full compliance with the Constitution,” said Gutu.
Tsvangirai is continuing with his ‘meet the people tour’ and is set meet opinion and party leaders in Lupane and Hwange in the two days.
