MUTARE —
Four winning candidates of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) formation of outgoing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai in Manicaland province are divided over joining parliament following remarks by the party leader that the elections were a big farce.
One of the winning MDC-T candidates Trevor Saruwaka of Mutasa Central told VOA Studio 7 he will participate in parliament business but doubts President Robert Mugabe will give him a government position.
Saruwaka said his constituency needs him now more than before, adding that he will also go by the party’s top leadership directive.
Another MDC-T winner, Prosper Mutseyami of Musikavanhu constituency, did not want to commit himself and referred all questions to the party’s national organising secretary Nelson Chamisa, who could not be reached for comment.
He said the national executive has the final say on these issues.
The other two MDC-T parliamentary representatives from Manicaland province, Innocent Gonese for Mutare Central and Arnold Tsunga for Dangamvura-Chikanga did not respond to telephone calls.
But political analyst James Mupfumi of the Centre for Research and Development said it is unlikely that President Mugabe will appoint MDC-T parliamentarians to top government positions.
Mupfumi said Mr. Mugabe already has his hands full with winning Zanu PF candidates expecting big appointments in government.
Zanu PF has dismissed as baseless allegations that the election was rigged.
Spokesman Rugare Gumbo says the poll was free and fair, adding the Southern African Development Community and the African Union election observer missions have already given the polls the green light.
One of the winning MDC-T candidates Trevor Saruwaka of Mutasa Central told VOA Studio 7 he will participate in parliament business but doubts President Robert Mugabe will give him a government position.
Saruwaka said his constituency needs him now more than before, adding that he will also go by the party’s top leadership directive.
Another MDC-T winner, Prosper Mutseyami of Musikavanhu constituency, did not want to commit himself and referred all questions to the party’s national organising secretary Nelson Chamisa, who could not be reached for comment.
He said the national executive has the final say on these issues.
The other two MDC-T parliamentary representatives from Manicaland province, Innocent Gonese for Mutare Central and Arnold Tsunga for Dangamvura-Chikanga did not respond to telephone calls.
But political analyst James Mupfumi of the Centre for Research and Development said it is unlikely that President Mugabe will appoint MDC-T parliamentarians to top government positions.
Mupfumi said Mr. Mugabe already has his hands full with winning Zanu PF candidates expecting big appointments in government.
Zanu PF has dismissed as baseless allegations that the election was rigged.
Spokesman Rugare Gumbo says the poll was free and fair, adding the Southern African Development Community and the African Union election observer missions have already given the polls the green light.